GRUPO REGIONAL DE MOREIRA DA MAIA
In defense of the roots and traditions of Maia, a land of fertile and ancient traditions disappearing in the mist of centuries, Moreira da Maia felt the need to perpetuate its customs and the spiritual richness expressed in the dances and songs of its people. And it was with this intention that a group of people formed, in 1934, the Moreira da Maia Regional Group to continue preserving the roots of this small community. Small in size, but grand and proud of its popular culture.
OUR HISTORY
ETHNOGRAPHIC NOTE:
It was the spiritual richness and traditions of the old Mayan lands, which led a group of people to perpetuate these customs, thus forming the Regional Group of Moreira da Maia in 1934. Since then, it has sought to be a living repository of the traditions of its land, inserted in the ethnographic zone of Douro Litoral. He is an effective member of FFP and INATEL, and annually organizes several folklore festivals, with emphasis on the Spring Festival and Moreira Folkfest, as well as Desfolhada and Arraial Maiata, as well as Cantares de Natal and Reis.
HIGHLIGHTS:
The richness of the costume displayed has been the reason for several invitations to high-level participation, with the main highlight being the award of the Medal of Merit from the Municipality of Maia; 1st place in Sunday costume (Barcelos); 3rd Prize World Folklore Festival (Bavaria-Munich) and the Bronze Necklace (Dijon-France).
THE DANCES:
The dances performed constitute a polychromatic display of the costumes worn by this group. Remember the typical dances of the defoliadas or harvests with "Vira das Desfolhadas" and the typical love songs "Água Leva o Regadinho".
The faith of "Senhor da Serra" is often praised, but we also have the presence of happy songs, normally performed on Sundays and holy days, in the squares and terreiros "Malhão das Palmas" and "Cana Real da Maia".
THE TOCATA:
The group's toccata consists of several instruments that reproduce the happy and communicative rhythm of popular music.
In the midst of the braguesas violas, ferrinhos, accordions, reco-reco and cavaquinhos, you can hear the bass drum that, in rhythm, marks and sets the rhythm of the dance.
THE COSTUME:
The way the members dress highlights the adaptation of the costumes to rural work and recalls the habit of wearing the best clothes on Sundays and festival days - Traje de Merino or Domingar, for the Traje de Chita fair, not forgetting the Costumes of Rich Lady, Rich Farmer and Mass Attire.
CONTACT
If you have any questions, proposals or invitations, please contact us.
+351 966 762 609 - (Lucília Santos)