‘Maias’Spring Traditions

‘Maias’• ‘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 moçoele lá vemvestido de verdeque 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.