Traditional Portuguese Crafts
Portugal is a country with unique architecture, landscapes and culture. From its northeastern border that touches Spain to its self-governing islands in the Atlantic, Portugal displays a diverse and ancient people group. While many of their cities show a modern stamp, the Portugeuse people take pleasure and pride in continuing to produce the traditional crafts of their ancestors.
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Needlework
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Portuguese women learn how to sew at a young age. These seamstresses don't limit themselves to hemming and patchwork. They create delicately embroidered linens which are often given as wedding gifts. Embroidery used to be especially popular among the wealthier class, but migrations have spread the craft as a money-generator. Additionally, women also crochet and knit clothing. Women from the Serra da Estrela mountains continue to craft fine Aran-style sweaters. They use the wool from their own sheep for these projects. The mountain people also produce fine handcrafted mittens, slippers, rugs and jackets from sheepskin.
Ceramic Tiles
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Traditionally painted by hand, ceramic tiles are also known as "azulejos." Many modern houses are completely covered in these unique tiles. As a method of reducing unemployment, the government subsidizes small businesses that produce these tiles in the traditional way. Similar tiles may also be produced by factories.
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Carving
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Hand-carved walking sticks are another one of Portugal's traditional crafts. Shepherds and other field workers use their extra time to carve the likenesses of animals. They use olive wood for these carvings, a material easily available since the climate is conducive to olive tree growth.
Pottery
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Traditional Portuguese pottery was influenced heavily by Chinese pottery. Vasco da Gama presented some Chinese pottery to the Portuguese king in the 17th century. Since the Portuguese controlled the passageway to the East, their pottery took on the basic design of Eastern pottery. However, the Portuguese could not understand the Chinese characters, and so adapted the appearance of the pottery to reflect Portuguese culture, with hunting scenes becoming most prominent. In modern times, potters still hand-make each piece, firing them twice and crafting them according to traditional knowledge and secrets. A final glaze ensures durability, and the artist signs each piece.
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References
- Photo Credit portugal mountains image by Laima Penekaite from Fotolia.com
