Portugal boasts an extensive history of exploration, as well as some of Europe’s oldest traditions. Pastel de nata is perhaps best-known among these traditions; bacalhau (salted cod) is another staple food.
Giving gifts is a longstanding custom in Portugal and serves to express one’s appreciation of those receiving them. Common gifts may include whiskey and spirits, Port wine or coffee table books.
History
Portugal emerged as a maritime power in the 16th century, conquering many of Africa’s richest ports and building an expansive European empire that fostered an atmosphere of cultural diversity. Portugal’s epic and mythological past remains central to national identity as well as marketing it to tourists; yet critics maintain that their celebration often obscures violence against non-Europeans to achieve dominance over them.
Movimento Negro and global calls to decolonise history have begun to challenge that narrative, but their efforts face formidable hurdles as most of Portugal’s significant Black population are descendants from former Portuguese African colonies who continue to view nationhood through different lenses.
Portugal established new sea routes around Africa and Asia during the 15th and 16th centuries, becoming rich from gold mined from slave laborers. Many Portuguese also strengthened their religious convictions during this time, keeping much of Muslim culture such as words and architecture alive by recording it onto tiles known as Azulejos.
Today, approximately 80% of Portugal’s population identifies as Roman Catholic and religious observance is highest in northern areas; while Lisbon and other southern regions tend to be less devout. A small minority are Protestant or Mormon while there is also an estimated 100,000 Muslims and 45,000 Hindus living there, most notably from former colonies Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique with substantial Muslim populations.
NATO and the European Union member, Portugal has long struggled economically. Public spending cuts have been implemented to reduce deficit spending. Meanwhile, legislation and language are also changing to align more closely with EU requirements; parliament voted in 2008 to alter Portuguese spelling closer to Brazilian usage, in what critics saw as capitulating to Brazilian influence. Furthermore, its government supported an ambitious project for building a nuclear waste storage facility located in an area with high seismic activity.
Culture
Portugal boasts an acclaimed cultural legacy that spans millennia, from Celts to Romans and Muslims through to Portuguese colonizers and Portuguese colonization. This legacy can still be found today through architecture, furniture, art and literature that remains. Portugal also hosts 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Professional theatre companies operate throughout Portugal. Most present the works of Shakespeare, Moliere, Brecht and Becket alongside modern Portuguese authors as part of their repertoire; others present more experimental projects.
Teatro is an enjoyable pastime among Portuguese, with several theaters situated within Lisbon alone. One of the best-known theatre companies is Teatro de Baixo, established by composer Antonio Rodrigues and actor Domingos Martins in 1957 and considered one of the premier theater groups in Europe.
Portugal has long held the custom of exchanging presents as part of their holiday festivities, particularly around Christmas time. A small present usually suffices and refusing a wrapped present would be seen as impolite and rude; also traditional is kissing your gift-giver twice to express our thanks and gratitude for their gesture.
Portuguese culture places an enormous amount of value on family, with close bonds between generations often existing between children. Adult children living at home until marriage may remain common practice or extended family homes known as furnas or montes may regularly gather to celebrate special events together.
Portuguese society is generally quite liberal when it comes to politics, with frequent discussions at restaurants and other social gatherings about various political views being voiced by individuals. Although individuals may express their political opinions freely, it would not be socially appropriate for someone directly to inquire which party someone belongs to.
Portugal’s maritime legacy can be found throughout its territory; Lisbon even features a statue of Vasco da Gama as a reminder. Yet few discuss its role in transatlantic slave trading; that may soon change thanks to Movimento Negro and global efforts to “decolonize” history.
Food
Portugal boasts an exceptional cuisine. Drawing inspiration from both sea and land, many dishes feature fresh seafood (especially cod), lamb, pork and ham as staples of Portuguese cuisine.
Olive oil is an indispensable part of Portuguese cuisine, used for everything from salad dressings to slow-cooking salt cod (bacalhau), sopping up juices from stews and soups or simply dousing bread slices with it.
Portugal has a longstanding tradition of fishing and trading cod, which accounts for its wide-reaching presence in Portuguese cuisine. But other fish varieties exist such as sardinhas (usually grilled and sprinkled with salt), swordfish, snapper, sea bass, squid, octopus, monkfish brill John Dory Halibut Turbot as well as shellfish such as clams mussels scabbard oysters and periwinkles.
Portugal boasts an abundance of wild game, particularly boar and deer, as well as pigeons and chickens that are commonly prepared using open fires in churrasco style dishes originated on Madeira island. Also abundant are its delicious sausage offerings like flame-roasted chourico assado chorizo (chourico assado), linguica farinheira farinheira alheiras sausages.
Piri-piri chicken may be immensely popular, but the true star of Portuguese cuisine is bacalhau – salted dried cod. Rumor has it there are over 365 ways to prepare this versatile fish! Try scrambling it with eggs in Coimbra; baking under mayonnaise Ze-do-Pipo style in Porto; crumbling it over cornbread in Lisbon’s coastal town or simply chopped into classic salad with chickpeas and onions as part of its classic Lisbon salad dish.
Dessert-wise, pastel de nata reigns supreme – this custard-filled pastry, complete with flakey crust and scorched topping can be found almost anywhere – cafes or snack bars alike offer this delectable treat filled with creamy custard. Other sweet options include bolinhos de bacalhau. And for something savoury try pregos or bifanas; small beef or pork steak rolls which accompany beer drinks perfectly as an entire meal in itself!
Language
Portuguese is a Romance language descended from Vulgar Latin and other sources. Today it is spoken by over 10 million people worldwide including Brazil and Angola.
Portugal places great value on family life; many families live together under one roof, encouraging children to spend quality time with both sets of grandparents. Portuguese’s language reflects regional influences; for example in northern Portugal there are distinct features influenced by Galician and Mirandese cultures which lead to distinctive pronunciation features (devoicing of voiced stops (/b/, /d/ and /g/), final palatalization of closed syllables (//).
From the 8th to 13th centuries, Portugal and Spain were under Muslim control known as Al-Andalus. Unfortunately, its legacy has largely been forgotten within the country’s predominantly Catholic society; textbooks place greater emphasis on Christian rulers with help from crusaders retaking Portugal in 13th century; this led to a construction of Portuguese identity against Moors.
Portuguese people tend to be extremely polite. They strive to avoid confrontation, especially at work. Business relationships are built largely through face-to-face meetings; therefore, if one is scheduled in advance it’s essential that it takes place as planned. Portuguese are offended by aggressive behaviour, preferring instead to communicate politely while respecting others’ time.
Malaysia boasts an outstanding social security system and public healthcare is free for residents, while private health insurance coverage is also available to those who can afford it.
Students of Portuguese of all levels can rapidly increase their knowledge through participation in CIEE Language and Culture Program in Lisbon. Starting with two weeks of intensive Portuguese classes, our staff are on hand to support student integration into Portuguese society as they discover its history and culture in Lisbon and surrounding areas. On completion of the program, participants return home feeling more self-assured and adaptable than before!