Cultural House of the Twelve Ribeiras Folklore Group

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Açores > Angra do Heroísmo > Doze Ribeiras > À Igreja

Location

The Cultural House of the Doze Ribeiras Folk Group is located in the village of Doze Ribeiras, part of the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo, on Terceira Island. It is situated in the area identified as "À Igreja" (By the Church), suggesting its proximity to the central point of this parish, an environment characterized by its rural and tranquil nature.

A Space Dedicated to Folklore

This house serves as the headquarters and activity center for the Doze Ribeiras Folk Group. It is also recognized as the Ethnographic House Father João de Brito C. Meneses, a name that honors a figure connected to the community. The space has been carefully restored and maintained by the group itself since the 1980s, demonstrating their commitment to preserving this place and the traditions it represents.

The Cultural House hosts events and initiatives that promote the culture and social life of the parish. It serves as a reference point for the group to conduct its rehearsals and prepare its performances.

The Roots of a Group and Tradition

The Doze Ribeiras Folk Group, founded in 1974, has a significant history on Terceira Island. It was one of the first folk groups of rural origin and a pioneer in using costumes that authentically reproduce regional attire, made with local materials such as wool and linen.

The group's repertoire is vast, including different types of "modas" (traditional songs/dances) that reflect the island's musical and choreographic traditions, such as balhos, songs associated with the pig slaughter, and religious folklore. The group is dedicated not only to Terceira's tradition but also interprets "modas" from other islands, valuing the folklore of the entire archipelago.

The maintenance of a regional viola school demonstrates the group's commitment to ensuring the continuity of these musical traditions, training new players and perpetuating knowledge of Azorean instruments and "modas".

Cultural Heritage in Focus

As an Ethnographic House, the space offers a glimpse into the intangible and tangible cultural heritage associated with folklore and the traditional daily life of Doze Ribeiras. Although not presented as a formal museum, these locations may contain elements that help contextualize the group's activities and understand the local culture.

A visit to this space allows direct contact with the dynamics of an active folk group and an appreciation of the place that is the heart of its activities and a repository of the parish's cultural memory.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt