Maria Teresa Henriques Gil

Music

Brass Bands at Catholic Liturgies

At the Pocariça Festival, local brass bands performed during religious liturgies in the 1950s, despite earlier church rules that prohibited such instruments in these settings.

At the table

Memorable daily habits and simple luxuries

In poorer regions, some families relied on soup made of wine, bread, and sugar, known as 'sopas de cavalo cansado', or began their days in cold climates with a glass of pure brandy called 'mata-bicho'. Staples like yogurt and chocolate spreads were either homemade or considered expensive delicacies, with products like 'Tulicreme' only appearing as a luxury for some families in the late 1960s.

Daily life

Basic rural home infrastructure and daily tasks

Most rural homes lacked electricity and running water, forcing women to carry water from public fountains in jars balanced on their heads. At night, houses were lit by oil lamps or the fireplace, as electricity was rare in villages until late in the period.

What people wore

Children carried shoes to school

Children often went to school barefoot, carrying their shoes in their hands to ensure they would not wear out.

Getting around

Traveling from remote villages to the train

People in isolated regions like Vilarinho da Castanheira often traveled on foot or by donkey to reach train stations, a trip that could take three hours if everything went well.

What it cost

Basic food prices in the mid-century

During the 1950s and 1960s, a simple bread roll cost 4 tostões, while a kilogram of Norwegian cod was priced at 20 escudos.