I love when people share anecdotes like this about their host country abroad! There are so many interesting and unique cultural festivities and norms out there that are enjoyed so thoroughly by small by everyone from small and devoted groups of people and to entire nations!
In Thailand, for example, they ring in the new year with a giant nationwide water fight!
Second, Diana. Fellow Portuguese too. Sorry to inform but it is all over Portugal, from May to September. Also you would “enjoy” to know that festas isn’t the only category available: festas populares usually are about the night and the next holiday they mix the religious and the arraiais. But then you have the epithome of this which are the Romarias which traditionally last for more than one or two weeks and religiously based. Then there are the Arraiais they are just about music and dancing and drinking. Indeed the traditional music would be folclore music and dancing and yes a lot of accordion. Pimba was indeed an “innovation” probably they felt the others were too boring and population was decreasing… you know… those parties and event might worked and work as a way for the people of the nearby villages participate in each one’s festivities and like that also arrange to meet their future boyfriend girlfriend and possibly marry. There is always some social explanation underneath.
Thanks for this detailed and interesting explanation! I do love how people from the surrounding villages come to our village festa (the second week of December), and that I see my neighbors at the other village festas. It’s all very lively and jolly — but 4-5 days of pimba at high volume is a lot! There’s no escaping it 😂
Last December, I asked my young neighbor who was in charge of the festa, if it was possible to just turn the music down a little, as it is blared from speakers hung throughout the village for at least 13 hours a day. He looked at me for a moment before laughing, and saying yeah, no!
I don’t think it is a traditional Portuguese something. It became generally accepted. That loud sound is part of festivities has a way of signing the fact that it is happening a party. The issue lies on the style of music that arose from that situation. Música de Baile or Bailarico (I think there is a line between them) were the most common genre. But an entire industry arose with this. So now is difficult to make any u turns on this.
For me, it's Festa dos Pescadores in August. A "win a stuffed animal" booth sets up almost opposite my apartment and the music is only broken up by his annoying patter. Pimba would be a relief! And yes, best to vacate for a few days. Cheers!
Yes, no kidding! It is a dangerous thing to give a microphone to a Portuguese man, isn't it! 😆
In our area, they auction off various things in the different villages. And I can hear them all, regardless of which village they are in, well enough to bid on from my house!
I haven't had the...er...pleasure yet. I'll have to ask my Portuguese friends about it. I have a performer friend of mine coming from the US to stay in Marinha Grande for two months and she does "bawdy" musical at Ren Faires. Sounds like this is something she'll need to learn. And then we can come serenade you. :+)
Oh my goodness. I so cherish our quiet here. In the summer though, on occasion, one of the campgrounds down in the valley will have a huge dance party until 1am or later. It’s quite far away but the acoustics of the mountains and the valley mean that we can hear the music like it was just next doors. Torture, like you said.
You're so lucky it's limited to summer! We had two different villages 'serenade' us in October, and then there will be our own festa in December! I'd get out of town, but feel it would be super unfair to a housesitter if I left Kiitos here 😆
omg, yes, it's a thing here. There is an actual accordion SCHOOL in the nearby town! I'll be laughing once it's over (and before the speakers move onto the next village!)
The most beautiful music on a faulty speaker is still nerve wracking
Yes, indeed
I love when people share anecdotes like this about their host country abroad! There are so many interesting and unique cultural festivities and norms out there that are enjoyed so thoroughly by small by everyone from small and devoted groups of people and to entire nations!
In Thailand, for example, they ring in the new year with a giant nationwide water fight!
The pain is mutual Kristin. Signed: a fellow Portuguese 😅
I so appreciate hearing that, Diane! 😂
Second, Diana. Fellow Portuguese too. Sorry to inform but it is all over Portugal, from May to September. Also you would “enjoy” to know that festas isn’t the only category available: festas populares usually are about the night and the next holiday they mix the religious and the arraiais. But then you have the epithome of this which are the Romarias which traditionally last for more than one or two weeks and religiously based. Then there are the Arraiais they are just about music and dancing and drinking. Indeed the traditional music would be folclore music and dancing and yes a lot of accordion. Pimba was indeed an “innovation” probably they felt the others were too boring and population was decreasing… you know… those parties and event might worked and work as a way for the people of the nearby villages participate in each one’s festivities and like that also arrange to meet their future boyfriend girlfriend and possibly marry. There is always some social explanation underneath.
Thanks for this detailed and interesting explanation! I do love how people from the surrounding villages come to our village festa (the second week of December), and that I see my neighbors at the other village festas. It’s all very lively and jolly — but 4-5 days of pimba at high volume is a lot! There’s no escaping it 😂
No one can take it. And if that doesn’t sound enough some main tv channels have Sunday shows for pretty much the afternoon! Run from the tv too.
🥹
Last December, I asked my young neighbor who was in charge of the festa, if it was possible to just turn the music down a little, as it is blared from speakers hung throughout the village for at least 13 hours a day. He looked at me for a moment before laughing, and saying yeah, no!
"It's TRADITION!" 😂
I don’t think it is a traditional Portuguese something. It became generally accepted. That loud sound is part of festivities has a way of signing the fact that it is happening a party. The issue lies on the style of music that arose from that situation. Música de Baile or Bailarico (I think there is a line between them) were the most common genre. But an entire industry arose with this. So now is difficult to make any u turns on this.
For me, it's Festa dos Pescadores in August. A "win a stuffed animal" booth sets up almost opposite my apartment and the music is only broken up by his annoying patter. Pimba would be a relief! And yes, best to vacate for a few days. Cheers!
Yes, no kidding! It is a dangerous thing to give a microphone to a Portuguese man, isn't it! 😆
In our area, they auction off various things in the different villages. And I can hear them all, regardless of which village they are in, well enough to bid on from my house!
I haven't had the...er...pleasure yet. I'll have to ask my Portuguese friends about it. I have a performer friend of mine coming from the US to stay in Marinha Grande for two months and she does "bawdy" musical at Ren Faires. Sounds like this is something she'll need to learn. And then we can come serenade you. :+)
Oh please!! 😆
Danish hip hop! 😅 the worst!
Even going back to Nik og Jay & Danish Dynamite's Rot & Weiss! 😆
Oh my goodness. I so cherish our quiet here. In the summer though, on occasion, one of the campgrounds down in the valley will have a huge dance party until 1am or later. It’s quite far away but the acoustics of the mountains and the valley mean that we can hear the music like it was just next doors. Torture, like you said.
You're so lucky it's limited to summer! We had two different villages 'serenade' us in October, and then there will be our own festa in December! I'd get out of town, but feel it would be super unfair to a housesitter if I left Kiitos here 😆
Indeed that would be a form of hell
If only it was music I enjoyed!
Haha, I had no idea accordions were a thing in Portugal. I feel for you, Kristin. - Jim
omg, yes, it's a thing here. There is an actual accordion SCHOOL in the nearby town! I'll be laughing once it's over (and before the speakers move onto the next village!)
Tried to post here from theFB link, but it erased everything and tried to make me subscribe. I though I already was a paid subscriber :(
You are a subscriber, Dante! Just post directly here, as you did, not via FB.