The Ways of Madeiran Ethnography. Clues to a Study

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 25^th 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.