HISTORY

The exact history of the masked “Caretos” of Podence is not entirely understood. Wearing masks and costumes to disguise your identity has long been a part of Carnival tradition in many cultures, and the Carnival of Podence is no exception. It is believed that the masks are meant to represent devilish figures that appear in Celtic religious traditions, and in the winter the devils take to the streets to signify a new year and beginning for the locals (Raposo, 2018) In the early twentieth century, there were masked traditions in many rural places in Portugal, and while the tradition has died out in most of these places, it still runs strong in Podence and has become an integral part of the local community and culture (Costa 2016).

History: Intro

While the “Caretos” represent devilish and mysterious beings, they were also meant to represent new life and the transition into adulthood for the young men that dressed up. The men wear rattles and colorful clothes, running around and messing with the young women in the city. Historically, this was meant for young men that were not married, and the celebration was a way for these people to get together and have fun, while enjoying the anonymity of the mask and costumes. The costumes were traditionally made from scraps of fabric that were acquired throughout the year, and some skilled elders would carve masks from wood and paint them red. The “Caretos” would often run into people’s cellars as well, to steal wine and food to celebrate (Costa 2016).

History: Body