Atafona House

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

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

Location

A Casa da Atafona is located in the parish of Doze Ribeiras, a point of interest in the western part of Terceira Island, in the Azores. Situated in the heart of the "À Igreja" urbanization, this place is in the southwest area of the island, characterized by its rural landscape and a peaceful environment, typical of Azorean communities.

Doze Ribeiras is a parish with deep historical roots, having been an independent parish since the late 17th century. Its environment offers an authentic perspective on island life, away from the busier areas, but with a strong identity linked to heritage and traditions.

A Personal and Community Legacy

A Casa da Atafona is a testament to the life and memories of José Dimas Ávila, a figure connected both to his homeland, Doze Ribeiras, and to the experience of emigration in the United States of America. This space was born from the desire to share his family's life journey, intertwining personal history with that of the parish itself.

The site offers a glimpse into the history and genealogy of the family of José Dimas Ávila and his wife, Eva da Natividade Costa, within the context of Doze Ribeiras. Here, the value of return and the appreciation of one's origins are revealed through a collection intended to preserve and transmit pedagogical and cultural aspects for future generations.

The Importance of the Atafona

At the center of the collection, the atafona stands out, a milling device of great historical relevance. In the past, this type of equipment was fundamental for the milling system in the Azores and the country, ensuring, along with windmills and watermills, the supply of flour and, consequently, bread.

The atafona present here illustrates a specific direct transmission model, where the driving wheel is at ground level. Its presence in the house underscores the centrality of agricultural practices and self-sufficiency in the lives of Azorean rural communities of yesteryear, inviting reflection on the ingenuity and resilience of their inhabitants.

Portraits of Rural Daily Life and Emigration

In addition to the atafona, the space features various sections that explore the experiences of the Azorean rural world. Visitors can observe ancestral agricultural practices, represented through old techniques and equipment, which depended directly on the island's natural conditions.

There is also a focus on the influence of American emigration, visible in the use and adaptation of work objects. Other sections are dedicated to domestic activities, showing what food, kitchen, bedrooms, and hygiene were like in a Doze Ribeiras house in the 20th century. There is also an exploration of small domestic industries, illustrating a traditional self-sustaining economy that encompassed food and clothing preparation, sewing, weaving, hunting, religiosity, and local celebrations.

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