Vibrant folklore in Madeira

Late one afternoon in May, I visited the pilgrimage church in Monte, Funchal, Madeira. Unfortunately, the church was shrouded in silvery clouds, so there was no sweeping view of the city and coast. Far more interesting, however, was my encounter with a group of musicians and folk dancers who were preparing for a performance in front of the church to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Diocese of Funchal.

Madeira’s cultural traditions are kept alive and passed down, particularly during cultural and religious festivals. The music and dances tell of love, religious traditions, and the saddest moments in the island’s history.

Alongside the beautiful costumes, traditional instruments are also used, such as the “brinquinho”, a type of bell tree. The instrument itself consists of a stick with dolls attached to it, which is moved up and down. The dolls wear costumes just like the dancers and are decorated with colourful velvet ribbons, dancing along with the performers to the rhythm of clapping and bells.

More photos in the Madeira Gallery