Bugiada and Mouriscada of Sobrado: manifestation of Portuguese popular culture

The folk festival of São João de Sobrado, also known as "Bugiada e Mouriscada", is a cultural event that fits into the popular cyclical festivities and the Moorish and Christian parties or dances. It takes place annually on the 24th of June, in the village of Sobrado, in the municipality of Valongo, in the northwest of Portugal. It is a multidimensional cultural manifestation with great symbolic and social density that is in the process of systematic and exhaustive scientific study.

Both Christians (Bugios) and Moors perform their dances in different locations in Sobrado, several times during the day. The Moors dances hark back to the movements of the military march, are vigorous and disciplined and physically very demanding. Each dance lasts about 45 minutes.

At 10 am, the "Dinner" takes place. This event consists of a meal held by Christians and Moors in separate rooms, because the ritual rules prevent the two groups from meeting before the battle at the end of the day.

The Bugiada brings together around 600 elements and anyone can participate. Christians are always masked and can only remove their mask at certain times, such as at the "Dinner".

In this image we can see Reimoeiro, in the Entrance Dance, flanked by the Moors and accompanied by thousands of spectators. The festival of Sobrado is lived intensely by the population and is a central part of the community identity. The party is for everyone, those who parade in the dances and those who celebrate joyfully with the Bugios and the Moors.

The Entrance Dance, to the sound of Saint John’s Hymn.

In this image, the ritualized agricultural activity is presented in reverse order.

The Blind Man’s Dance or Sapateirada.

When the Christians run out of gunpowder, the Moors attack.

Reimoeiro climbs the castle of his adversaries and ruthlessly imprisons the Old Man of Bugiada.

Despite the pleas of the Old Man and the children who went up to the castle, Reimoeiro shows his strength and prevents the king of Christians from freeing himself.

Aware of the Moors' superstitions, a group of Christians fight back with a Wivern. The Moors' defeat is interpreted as a miracle of Saint John.

In the end, both groups return to their positions and dance one last time, as a bid of farewell to the festive day. The next year's party then begins to be prepared.