3. Each region of Portugal has its own
style of folk music and dances which
are performed in couples or in groups.
The different dances and costumes
represent different regions in Portugal.
Normally, the women’s costume is
long and colourful, comprising a dress
or a skirt and a top, and complete with
matching shoes and a hair scarf or
handkerchief.
4. Men, on the other hand, wear rather plain costumes made up of
trousers and a long-sleeved top which is sometimes covered with a
vest. It is also common for men to wear hats.
Traditionally, the styles of the costumes worn by dancers were
influenced by the region and social system that the dancers belong to.
5. Each region of Portugal has its own style of folk dance and
music.
Some of the best examples of the regional dances are vira,
malhão, chula, corridinho, tirana and fandango, with
participants performing a lively dance usually to a fast beat
of hand-clapping, guitars and accordions.
6. Many of these dances reflect the courting,
working and matrimonial traditions of each
region.
Each dance has a different technique, whether
made up of two or three steps, and danced in
long lines or small circles.
7. We live in the Minho Region where the most traditional dances are Vira and Malhão.
Vira and Malhão are lively musical forms sung and danced in a festive and cheerful way, with the help of
different traditional instruments, and by people dressed up in a variety of ways ranging from working
clothes to colourful costumes.
8. Vira
Couples form a circle facing each-other and go around
a circle doing different steps, changing partners as
they go, or sometimes the women may have ‘solos.’
The costumes are colourful. Women wear long red
and black skirts with flower patterns, white shirts and
red head-pieces.
Malhão
It is a circle dance which has its origins in the fields
during the work breaks.
The costumes are plainer with no bright colours or
designs, and a red and black skirt.
