Masks and masqueraders are integral to the cultural identity of people across the Iberian Peninsula and nations like Bulgaria, Romania, and Italy. Delegates from these countries convened in Bemposta today to share tales from their regions and rituals that touch on themes ranging from fertility to death, rural traditions, and social censorship, embodied through the antics of extravagant and sometimes mysterious figures.
The Gathering of Ancestral Rituals, held today in the village of Bemposta within the Bragança district, is a predominantly cultural event rooted in rural origins. It reflects the historical and traditional marks left on the lands and their inhabitants across various European regions.
The passage of these masked figures did not go unnoticed, with observers engaging in various interactions such as ‘selfies,’ more elaborate photographs, or social media posts. The primary goal is to preserve the cultures of the populace. These age-old traditions strive to maintain their purity, avoiding any alteration or confusion among diverse rituals, each carrying distinct meanings.
Manuel Traviesso, the standard-bearer for the masked figures of Tremor de Arriba, a small village in the Spanish municipality of Igüeña in the province of León, expressed that this gathering of ancestral rituals is an ideal platform for showcasing traditions. This transboundary location boasts a unique identity when it comes to masked traditions.
“All of these rituals have a rich history, and here we could share our experiences and traditions and learn about others from various parts of Portugal, Spain, and Europe, discovering that in many cases there are common roots,” emphasized the masked figure who represents his people’s Carnival celebrations.
Ana Maria Martins, a representative of the Associação do Velho de Vale de Porco in the Mogadouro municipality, highlighted the vibrancy of these rituals and stressed the importance of initiatives like this in promoting traditions.
“This gathering of rituals is important for showcasing the masked figures,” she stated, while noting that this might not be “the best place” to exhibit the rituals. “These rituals need to be seen in their places of origin, with all the mystique surrounding them,” she argued.
Torino Marras, from Sardinia, representing the masked figures of this Italian region, explained that the origins of their ritual trace back to human sacrifices aimed at ensuring better crops, linked to the region’s ancient agricultural harvests and winter pastoral traditions.
José da Fonte, representing the Salsas Masked Group, noted the increasing interest among young people in joining the masked groups to preserve the tradition, sometimes going so far as to pay to don the maskers’ attire.
“People are starting to take pride in wearing the mask, which was not the case before the COVID-19 pandemic,” he remarked. “Those associated with the border traditions of the Bragança district and the adjacent territory from Zamora to Ourense form part of a ‘region where these rituals appear common, present here in Bemposta’.
Researcher Roberto Afonso, a prominent national figure in ancestral traditions, described these gatherings as “an effective way to promote these types of festivals linked to the Winter Solstice and Carnival,” advising caution to avoid confusing different rituals or masks.
“This gathering of rituals is well organized, with each group identified by a plaque stating who they are and where they come from,” he noted.
The researcher further described that the Bemposta ritual gathering has taken on an international character in the tradition of masked figures, given the number of groups present.
The mayor of Mogadouro, António Pimentel, announced the formation of a task force aimed at classifying the solstitial rituals of the Mogadouro municipality, with an eye towards submitting a future application for inscription as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
“When we launch an initiative, it’s because it’s already been embraced to some extent. We are already working on contracting a task force to support us in gathering the heritage and its history, and everything necessary to substantiate this application. It’s challenging work, but it will be done for future leaders at the Mogadouro municipality,” he stated, in reference to the upcoming local elections set for this year.
Amélia Folgado, president of Maschocalheiro — Associação de Bemposta, affirmed the continuity of the Gathering of Ancestral Rituals, with each year seeing more participants, positioning it as an event already marking the European landscape of ancestral masks.
