Traditional Dress

The Peneda-Gerês National Park , located in northern Portugal, is a region rich in history, tradition, and culture. Among its many cultural facets, a unique and symbolic practice known as the "Widows of the Living" stands out. This term refers to women who wore mourning clothes for their husbands who emigrated to other countries, a common practice in times past.

In an era primarily marked by smuggling , the men of the region risked crossing the border into Spain and France, often clandestinely ("a salto"). The women, without guarantees of their husbands' return, adopted a full mourning period, dressing in black as a symbol of their uncertain departure. Without the ease of modern communication, such as telephones, letters were the only form of correspondence, leaving the women uncertain about the fate of their loved ones.

The practice of widows of the living, besides representing the uncertainty of departures during the era of smuggling, reflects the strength and resilience of the women who kept the villages alive during their husbands' absences, cultivating the land and raising children and livestock. Stories of the border , smuggling, and emigration are also encapsulated in the region. The batela, a vessel used to cross the rivers, tells the saga of the risky operations that marked difficult times.

The Peneda-Gerês National Park is more than just a spectacular nature reserve. It is a cultural treasure that preserves and shares the unique traditions that have shaped the lives of local communities over the centuries. The widows of the living, in their deep mourning and black attire, are a living testament to the past, rooted in the majestic landscapes and rich history of this Portuguese region.