‘Maias’
Spring Traditions
‘Maias’
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‘Maias’ is a festivity celebrated on the 1st of May.
That day, people decorate their houses, cars or
other possessions with bunches of broom called
maias.
‘Maias’
• This plant is used to protect the houses from the
carrapato (most known by demon or evil-eye).
‘Maias’
• There are some traditions in different regions of
Portugal related to ‘Maias’, like:
• “Maio-moço”;
• “Cantar as maias”.
‘Maio-moço’
• ‘Maio-moço’ was a boy who wore clothes with
broom and, on his head, a pyramide formed by
that plant. He was supposed to scare the demon.
O meu maio moço
ele lá vem
vestido de verde
que parece bem.
‘Cantar as Maias’
• There are some songs which are sung on the first
of May, like:
• “Cantigas das Maias”
• “Cantigas do Maio-Moço”.
• Work done by:
• Cátia Vieira, no. 6;
• Eduardo Sousa, no. 9;
• Inês Cunha, no. 13.
• 9th grade.