The origin of Fado
The History of Fado in modern times has been preserved and written, becoming eternal through different sources. However, when it comes to its origins, history is divided into three different theories. On one hand, Rui Vieira Nery tells us that Fado comes from an African dance. José Alberto Sardinha, on the other hand, attributes the original practice of Fado to the blind beggars. Finally, we also present Pinto de Carvalho’s theory, which traces the beginning of Fado’s history to the edge of the caravels during the Age of Discovery.
The Brazilianist Theory
Rui Vieira Nery states, based on various written records, that the origin of Fado lies in a Brazilian dance of African origin. This dance arrived in Lisbon through maritime trade with Brazil. Thus, once in the Lisbon neighborhoods, Fado was shaped through contact with Portuguese popular singing and dancing traditions.
According to the Brazilianist theory, at the beginning of the 19th century, fado emerged as the Brazilian danced Fado. That is, a dance of African origin, characterized as being diverse and able to include a varied number of participants. Thus, this dance grew and gained popularity, entering domestic salons and theater stages of the major Brazilian cities in the early decades of the 19th century.
From the end of the French invasions and the return of the royal family and court that had fled to Brazil, the maritime exchange is intense between Lisbon and Brazil. As a result, this brings Brazilian fado to the port neighborhoods of Lisbon, and especially to the marginal circuit of Lisbon’s sociability. Here, in contact with the traditions of singing and popular dances, Fado begins to shape itself and acquires a consistent and Lisbon-based identity.
Thus, Nery tells us that the first manifestations of Fado arrive in Lisbon at the turn of the 1830s to the following decade. However, it is only from 1840 onwards that the practice of Fado is found within the popular Lisbon community, based on a broader social foundation. The dance from Brazil, called Fado, thus transforms into a local expression, filled with the experiences and emotions of society at the time, expanding from the neighborhoods to the highest social spaces.
The Portuguese origin of fado
José Alberto Sardinha argues, in his study on the origin of Fado (the Portuguese origin), that it developed from a European medieval narrative poetic genre. This was initially sung by minstrels in castles, and later by wandering musicians.
Thus, these musicians were called “ceguinhos” (little blind ones), as they were usually blind musicians. Consequently, they sang the fado as a story about destiny, the unfolding of someone’s life.
Initially, Fado originates from the traditional “romanceiro,” a narrative song from the medieval period. In the 16th century, this romanceiro told stories of love and heartbreak between kings and queens. Later, in the 17th century, wandering musicians and minstrels sang about the everyday lives of common people.
These narratives, according to Sardinha, began to be sung at fairs and on the streets by wandering musicians, called “ceguininhos” because they were usually blind. Thus, the ceguininhos sold pamphlets with the poems they sang, which they started to announce as fados, in the sense of life and its outcome, which were the topics they sang about.
Finally, José Alberto Sardinha tells us that, until the early 20th century, Lisbon shared the same cultural background as the country’s towns, villages, and cities, and thus the same musical practices. In this way, the fado of these traveling musicians moved from the markets and streets to the taverns of Lisbon, where they performed in exchange for food.
The Maritime Theory
Finally, the theory that Pinto de Carvalho wrote in his book História do Fado (1903) tells us that the original practice of fado took place aboard the caravels of the discoveries, and that it was the sailors who sang it. In this way, this fado singing saudade on the high seas would shape the fados played later on land.
The Maritime Theory argues that fado originated as an artistic expression of the pain felt by the Portuguese during their maritime conquests in the 15th and 16th centuries. Venturing into unknown seas, they experienced a climate of melancholy and hope caused, in this case, by the departure and separation from their loved ones.
In addition, Pinto de Carvalho develops his theory on the birth of fado, drawing attention to the fact that the sea is one of the most common themes in this musical expression. In fact, it was at the bow of boats that sailors sang fado, which is perhaps why it was also a source of inspiration in terms of its undulating and cadenced rhythm.
Fado was born at sea
Frederico de Brito
To the rhythm of the waves, fado was born at sea
With a thousand waves rocking its cradle, there was a ship
Covered by an indigo sky.
In a little boat sailing under the moonlight
I heard a sailor singing
Conclusion
In short, the maritime context has had a major influence on Portugal’s history, as a result of the expansion of the colonial empire from the 15th century onwards. Thus, the sea has inspired countless metaphors of questioning and uncertainty that we also find in Fado.
Finally, whatever the true origins of Fado may be, the fact is that its history continues to be written and honored every day. Discover the magic and charm of Portuguese Fado by experiencing a concert at Casa da Guitarra. Here, the history of Fado is brought to you in the voices of our beloved Fado singers.
Carvalho, P., (Tinop), 1903. History of fado. Lisbon: Empreza da História de Portugal Sociedade Editora.
Sardinha, J. A. (2010). The origin of fado. Tradisom.
Bibliografia: NERY, R. (2004) PARA UMA HISTÓRIA DO FADO. Lisboa: Público/ Corda Seca.