Os Caminhos da Etnografia Madeirense. Pistas para um Estudo

Abstract

After defining the concepts, a proposal for the definition of the different phases of the ethnographic work done in Madeira will be presented. The following periods will be mentioned: a first one, characterized by sporadic mentions in books, either by foreignor Portuguese visitors; afterwards, around the 1920s, there is a set of works aiming at identifying the elements of a specifically Madeiran traditional culture; almost all of them lack a comparative perspective, leading to several cases of “regionalisation” of cultural elements that are common to large areas or even to all the country; some examples are given, as the publications on the language; a third phase, we can place after the 25th April 1974, that sees the blooming of many ethnographic works. The different paths followed will be mentioned – articles in journals, the contribution of folklore groups, the University of Madeira, etc. After its brief analysis, some possible ways for the future of Madeiran ethnography will be presented. Keywords: Madeiran Ethnography; Folklore; Visitors in Madeira.