Folklore

A study of Madeiran folklore, even an elementary one, has yet to be written – one that would bring the beliefs, traditions and popular customs of this archipelago into sharp relief, not only from the narrow viewpoint of the simple songs sung by the people but also in a broader perspective, thus embracing the old regional customs in their most varied and characteristic forms. Meanwhile, we would say that various scattered writings by Adolfo César de Noronha, A. Artur Sarmento, Carlos Santos, E. Antonino Pestana, J. Reis Gomes and the Viscount of Porto da Cruz provide valuable material for such a study. The articles Bucho Encostado, Old Customs, Popular Beliefs, Dress, Legends, Rural Medicine, Evil Eye, Christmas, Processions and Pilgrimage Festivals in this Elucidário also contain a variety of notes and information that could serve the same study.