Catujal - Unhos Dance and Song Group

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Community Centre

District: Lisboa > Loures > Unhos > Bairro das Queimadas

Location

The Catujal, Unhos Dances and Songs Group is based in the Bairro das Queimadas, in the locality of Unhos, municipality of Loures. Unhos is one of the oldest parishes in the municipality, historically linked to the Trancão River, which flows into the Tagus River. The area, including Catujal, where the group was founded, was once a rural area with a strong agricultural tradition, characterized by cultivated fields, olive groves, and vineyards, elements that define the identity of the surrounding saloia region of Lisbon.

Origin and Cultural Mission

Founded on December 11, 1993, this group was born from the commitment of people with a common interest in Portuguese popular traditions. Arriving in Loures from various parts of the country, they united with the desire to socialize and, above all, to preserve and promote the rich saloia culture. Its central mission focuses on representing the popular uses and customs of this region, dating from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, keeping alive the memory of a vibrant rural past.

Traditions on Stage

The performances of the Catujal, Unhos Dances and Songs Group are a faithful reflection of popular culture. Their costumes are the result of meticulous research in the municipality of Loures, reproducing work, festive, pilgrimage, or Sunday wear, and even more affluent pieces, illustrating various economic activities such as the washerwoman, the farmer, or the fishmonger. The performances are enlivened by traditional instruments such as the viola, bombo, accordion, concertina, and pandeireta, while the repertoire includes "modas de roda," viras, and other popular and traditional dances, inviting an immersion into the dances and songs of the region.

Guardians of Living Heritage

The Catujal, Unhos Dances and Songs Group is a pillar in the conservation of intangible heritage. With about fifty members, including dancers, musicians, and figurants, the group also includes children who, from an early age, learn the dances, music, and games of yesteryear. This intergenerational dedication ensures the continuity of traditions. The group annually organizes a folklore festival and participates in meetings with other associations, actively contributing to the maintenance and valorization of Portuguese cultural identity.

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