The Feast of the Maias on the 1st of May

1. The Maias

2. The Maias
Every year from 30 April to 1 May is a tradition in
Minho, Douro and Beira Alta, which are placed at
the door or windows of home bouquets of yellow
broom, also known as “Maias” for flowering in May.
However, in other regions of Portugal it is also
celebrated, although differently, for example, in
the Cova da Piedade and in the Romeira, which
belong to the municipality of Almada.
The Maias in Lagos-Algarve
The custom of the “Maias” is mentioned in Portugal, as the oldest popular feast,
evidently naturalistic feast, deviated from its primitive meaning, already by paganism,
already by Christianity.
Almada Cova da Piedade-Romeira
In 1385, the Chamber of Lisbon Decres: "Another yes we have established that
hereafter in this city and in its term do not sing the “Janeiras” nor “Maias”, nor another
one month of the year".
It is also mentioned that the origin of this tradition, of pagan reminiscences, is linked
to fertility rites, the beginning of spring and the new agricultural year, as it is affirmed
that it removes the evil eye and the witches from home.

3. The Maias themselves are in two parts: the enrambling of the doors, and the "May-
boy". The first is celebrated on the 1st of May in Minho, Douro, Beira Alta, among
others, where they adoren "the doors of houses with branches of flowers called
“giestas”, that people called “Maias”.
The people give these customs two explanations:
When the Virgin went to Egypt, she left by the way many branches of “giestas” not to
choose the wrong way, in the return.
When Jesus Christ was born, the Jews sought him out to kill him, and, as they knew he
was in a certain house, they put a branch of Giesta in the doorway, for the next day
to arrest him. On that day, however, all the houses of the village appeared marked,
and the Jews could not give with it.
Almada Almada

4. With the advent of Christianity attributed to this old pagan ritual a religious character
linked to the Feast of the Holy Cross and, even, to the body of God. The legend,
alluding to this tradition, which most often hears in the Alto Minho, prays: Herod knew
that the Holy Family, in his escape to Egypt, would spend a night in a certain village.
To ensure that he could eliminate the child, Herod had to have all the children killed.
Given the possibility of such a significant morbidity, it was informed, by another
"Judas", that this could be avoided, enough for this, that he himself put a branch of
flowery “giestas” in the house where the Holy Family was, constituting a sign, so that
the soldiers would seek and consume the crime... The "Judas" proposal was accepted
and Herod tried to send his soldiers in search of that house. What was not the
astonishment of the soldiers when, the next morning, they found all the houses of the
village with branches of flowery “giestas” at the door, thus gorging the possibility of
the child Jesus, to be killed.
This was how this tradition of placing branches and “giestas” (or together with other
flowers, crowns), in the doors and windows of the houses, on the eve of the 1st of May.
Also, in the Alto Minho, this custom extends to the cars of oxen, automobiles, tractors,
etc. In some localities, you put the little twig of “giestas” because... "The man is
foolish"! In others, the young men who are to be married, put under the doors of the
girls ' houses "of good behaviour" (without them realizing it) a "Maias of Roses".

5. In the region of Viseu, the Maias celebrated themselves wearing several children; to
the imitation of angels, with crowns of roses from the field in the head, wings of
“giestas” that walk from house to house, singing.
In Vouzela, the children are dressed in Maia with “giestas”, begging and singing through
the doors.
In the Alvações of Corgo, Trás-os-Montes, walked the streets a boy dressed in flowering
“giestas”, forming in the head a pyramid, surrounded by boys and girls who sang and
danced.
In Beja, Maia was a child dressed in white, who was all afternoon sitting in a little
chair, while around other children play tambourines and sing.
And tell the legend...
Once upon a time there were two boyfriends who met on the morning of the first of
May.
He went to the plantation; she came from the fountain.
They started talking, and at such a good time, when they broke up, it was night.
She then, alluding to that love, for as long as it lasts, seems a moment, sang this song:
May Day
Day of Misfortune
Even now was morning
It's already dark night.
The song and tale are all the more interesting as it is certain that on the day of the
Roman Feast "Floralia", which seems to have some analogy with the Portuguese
“Maias”, there were races of people ornate with roses, for their rapidity symbolize the
ephemic value of charms of life.

6. Fulfilling the Centenary Tradition, in our city, on May 1, the feast of Maia was held in
Cova da Piedade, an organization of the Union of the Parishes of Almada, Cova da
Piedade, Pragal and Cacilhas in partnership with the “Singers of Essence Alentejana”,
“Philharmonic Society Artistic Union Piedense” and the Center of Archeology of
Almada, in a popular environment full of music and joy.