SAUDADE
The Portuguese have many unique qualities, but the unique character of "saudade" is what truly sets them apart....
Portuguese-speaking countries are known for their friendliness and love for the simple things in life. Despite their differences, they share more than just the joy of living and language. Connected by a historical bond, the sea has brought together very different cultures and traditions. From the beaches of Africa to the plains of Brazil or the mountains of Portugal, the "Portuguese Empire" was founded on a sentiment as old as human history, but the language of Camões gave it its own word: "saudade."
"Saudade" can be as simple as a desire for food we enjoy or as complex as mourning the loss of a loved one. It encompasses the feelings of nostalgia for something or someone you long for, as well as the blissful remembrance of life's beautiful moments. Enjoying a meal that tantalizes your taste buds or taking a stroll down memory lane while smelling and tasting the finest olive oil. Sharing a fine glass of wine with a friend who chatters away because you haven't seen each other in three years. It's a sentiment present in our daily lives, but in Portugal, it's also a form of national culture and identity.
This nostalgic longing is reflected in Fado, Portugal's most famous traditional music, which has captivated people from all over the world. When a foreigner hears the lament in Amália's voice, the feeling is universally understood, even if the words are not.
"What a strange way of life my heart has chosen" ("What a strange way of life my heart has chosen") sings Amália, Portugal's most famous fado singer and a favorite among Lisbon's traditional fado haunts in Bairro Alto. In this popular verse, Amália embodies the Portuguese soul, a state of constant restlessness that is ever-present. Despite living a splendid lifestyle, even the happiest Portuguese will respond, "I'll manage," when someone asks, "How are you?" "It's fado," some might say, but Amália explains it better than anyone:
Besides music, "saudade" is also present in various art forms, such as traditional embroidery, painting, and pottery. Ceramic swallows, for example, are a popular icon of Portuguese culture and symbolize the emigrants who also return to their "nests" each year. Saudade is very much present in almost every Portuguese family, who enjoy the arrival of their loved ones living abroad in the summer. They return not only to visit family but also to "matar as saudades" ("kill the saudades") with delicious bacalhau and Portuguese wine!
Saudade is a word from Portuguese and Galician. It describes the blend of feelings of loss, despair, distance, and love. In Dutch, it is often translated as homesickness, melancholy, or wistfulness. However, it is one of the most difficult words to translate. In a survey of over 1,000 linguists by Today Translations, saudade was ranked seventh among the most difficult words to translate in the world, one place lower than the Dutch "gezellig" (cozy).
The word saudade comes from Latin, from "solitas" (solitude) and, under the influence of the word "saudar" (greeting, recognition), evolved into saudade. It is one of the most common words in Portuguese love poetry and music. The concept is inextricably linked to Portugal's national song, fado—a term also derived from Latin, from the word fatum (fate). In Brazil, saudade is associated with bossa nova and in Cape Verde with morna, the national musical genre of the Cape Verde Islands.
In Brazil, January 30th is celebrated as the dia da saudade, "day of saudade."
Origin
The term is believed to have been introduced during the Portuguese Explorations, when the Portuguese felt the need and necessity to express their sense of nostalgia for their homeland and loved ones. The term, therefore, refers to the melancholy caused by memory; the pain felt as a result of the absence or disappearance of people, things, situations, or actions. The word's origin is directly linked to the Portuguese seafaring spirit.
Usage
The famous Portuguese poet and writer Fernando Pessoa wrote the following about saudade: "Saudades, só os portugueses conseguem senti-las bem, porque têm essa palavra para dizer que as têm." In English, this means: "Saudades; only the Portuguese can feel it well, because they have a word to say they have saudades."
One can feel saudade for many things:
- for someone who has died;
- for a loved one who is far away or absent;
- for a good friend;
- for someone, or something, that one has not seen for a long time;
- for someone one hasn't spoken to in a long time;
- for places;
- for an acquaintance or colleague;
- for food;
- for a song;
- for situations;
- for a love;
- for doing something one hasn't done for a long time;
- for the time that has passed;
...and much more.
There's also an expression "matar a saudade" (or "matar saudades," literally "to kill saudade"). Its meaning is the disappearance (albeit only temporarily) of this feeling. It's possible to kill saudade by reminiscing, looking at old photos or videos, talking about the topic, or connecting with the person for whom one feels saudade. In southern Portugal, the expression "mandar saudades" (literally: "to send saudade") also exists, where it means the same as greeting someone.
Sources: Portugal Realty™ website, Wikipedia
This is our own website with the best price. Click here for our accommodations or ask us your question.
