Janeiras in Portugal - You Thought the Caroling Was Over!
Wednesday January 2, 2008
Portugal doesn't seem like one of those places influenced by the ancient Romans; we usually think of the south of France and, of course, Italy, for Roman influences and archaeology. But January in Portugal is devoted to a tradition named Janeiras, after the Roman two-headed God Janus.
According to Portugese tourism, "groups of friends or neighbors will go from house to house to sing, and when their singing is done, they are rewarded with chestnuts, nuts, apples, cured sausages, and chocolates."
You can see and some Janeiras activities in this YouTube video: Janeiras em Loriga.
And yes, there is quite a bit of evidence for the Roman occupation of southern Portugal, including a big, Roman farm you can visit called São Cucufate--and the Portuguese still make wine in huge vats like the Romans did in a process called Vinho de Talha.
Comments
Hello. There are lots of old roman constructions everywhere. Try a search by “Conimbriga” near the city of Coimbra,(and Coimbra itself) and the “Mirobriga”.
Come on, do your homework.
Portugal was occupied by Romans since the 2nd century BC. This Roman presence lasted up to the Wisigoths, at least, and is still present in the language, which belongs to the Latin branch, like Italian, French or Spanish (and others).
Janeiras do not refer to the Roman god Janus, but to the fact that they are sung in Janeiro, or January. Both Janeiro and January come from Janus, of course.
As to Roman remains, they are almost endless, from north to south, sea coast to mountains. They’re everywhere, including several bridges and roads.
Read the whole post. There is no doubt that Romans occupied Portugal. In the last paragraph I gave a few examples of things people can visit that are Roman. I said Portugal doesn’t SEEM like one of those places influenced by the ancient Romans.
Ask anyone on the street if they know where to go to find Roman ruins. I doubt if anyone mentions right off the top of their head, “there are tons of Roman ruins and left-over Roman habits in Portugal”
Yet, of course, as those of us who’ve visited know, there are.
james
Here’s what Inside Portugal says, refering to Janus: “This tradition is named Janeiras, for Janus, the ancient god of the entryway to heaven. The singing tradition likely stems from Roman times, when they would summon Janus to ward off evil spirits for the new year.”
They can be wrong, of course, but then you can’t deny the link between January and Janus.
james