Mythology

The strange capacity of revival, observed in myths, may be tested in the Azores, an Archipelago located so far from the European Continent, isolated and only recently colonised, and yet, full of these memories, anonymously brought up by the populations of settlers.

The most evident remain of the Indo-European mythology, present in the Azorean Traditional Celebrations, is the practice (and the mode) by which the paradigmatic dates of the Cosmic Calendar are performed.
The explanation for the persistency of this phenomenon lies on the role that the Portuguese continental territory has had, during the last glacial eras. Offering a safe place for the groups in migration throughout a frozen Europe, its temperate climate and prosperous valleys were perfect for a longer stay.

Important empirical data prove that these conditions have propitiated shelter for various ethnic groups who lived and left their memories in this part of Europe.

Anta de Monte Ruivo (IPPAR)
Pre-historic sites have been found and are very widespread. A quick approach on their nature may be done throughout the site http://www.ippar.pt/ with access to itineraries. Portuguese National Archaeological Museum in Lisbon,

exhibits many sculptural stone documents (http://www.mnarqueologia-ipmuseus.pt), as funerary and religious monuments, disperse through the Portuguese continental territory.

Portuguese National Archaeological Museum
They became the testifying material which brings to the present time part of the mythologies, approached here through the beliefs, practices and magic (subjacent to the present popular celebrations in the Azores).

Sculpture of Janus, roman god, found in Angra
Gods and goddesses, some influenced by Greek and Roman Pantheons, others apparently local (although inspired on the same theologies), have been addressed through the times, to protected the inhabitants of this territory (subsequently known as Portuguese) against the fears and terrors of those ages.

Sculpture found in Angra, representing the mythology of the fish
Navigating on the Atlantic Ocean and discovering the Azores Islands, they took with them all this immaterial heritage, which survived through the time, not only the depurations practiced by the Catholic Inquisition, but also the change of mentalities happening with industrialization and modern age.

Representation of the wealth of the seas. Angra Museum
Industrialization ideals did not find good acceptance on the islands. Tied to agriculture and the land, the life of the Azoreans has been ruled by the agrarian mythologies, hidden underneath the apparent development.

Ritual calf of the Holy Spirit
In the past, mostly occupied with survival horticultural practices, adapted to the small portions of husbandry land, they were open to traditional influences, which gave ground for the sustainability of the inherited mythologies.

Painting from the Colégio dos Jesuítas, Ponta Delgada
Most of the present popular traditional celebrations or festivities of the Azores, are tied to the Cosmic Calendar (Solstices and Equinoxes), as the remains of the rituals and practices directed to the gods of the European Neolithic.