Fradelos Regional Ranch

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Community Centre

District: Braga > Vila Nova de Famalicão > Fradelos > Igreja

Location

The Rancho Regional de Fradelos is located in the locality of Fradelos, an area that is part of the municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão. This ranch has its headquarters in the Church area, a central landmark in the community. Fradelos, as a parish, is situated in a region marked by the traditions and landscape characteristic of Baixo Minho and Vale do Ave, giving the place a genuine atmosphere connected to the cultural roots of the region.

Origins and Cultural Legacy

Founded on October 10, 1957, the Rancho Regional de Fradelos stands out as the oldest folklore association in the municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão. Its creation arose from the initiative of four local men, inspired by the liveliness of traditional festivals and folk groups. Since its first formal performance in December of the same year it was founded, the ranch has been an active guardian of Fradelos' cultural identity, transmitting the joy and spirit of the people of this part of Minho through music and dance.

Traditional Costumes

The costumes displayed by the Rancho Regional de Fradelos are a visual testament to the rural life that shaped the parish over the years. Each piece is carefully selected to represent the different facets of Minho's daily life and society. The work costumes, for example, tell the story of labor in the fields, from reaping to hoeing corn and beating flax, reflecting simplicity and functionality adapted to each person's means. On the other hand, the more elaborate Sunday costumes and those of the affluent were reserved for religious ceremonies and social gatherings, symbolizing social status and the importance of these encounters in the community.

The Expression of Popular Dance

The repertoire of the Rancho Regional de Fradelos is rich in songs and dances that express the soul of Baixo Minho. The choreographies, whether "round," "line," or "free," are often linked to agricultural activities, festivals, and social gatherings. Dances like the "Malhão de Roda," "Saia-Velhinha," or "Chula de Roda," among many others, were sung and danced in village squares, churchyards, or threshing floors after working in the fields. They capture the liveliness and resilience of a people, with rhythms that are sometimes gentle and evocative, and at other times vibrant and full of energy, reflecting the festive spirit and community unity that folklore promotes.

Recognition and Scope

The dedication of the Rancho Regional de Fradelos to the preservation of ethnographic heritage is widely recognized. A member of the Federação do Folclore Português and an effective member of INATEL of Braga, the group was awarded the Municipal Cultural Merit Medal by the municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão in 2006. Its reach extends beyond local borders, with hundreds of performances throughout the national territory and participation in international events in France and Germany, taking the authenticity of Minho folklore to diverse stages and perpetuating its history and tradition.

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