The Easter tradition in Portugal is a mixture of religious practises and popular customs, with a strong influence of Christianity and local traditions. Some of the main Easter traditions in Portugal include:
Masses and religious celebrations: Easter is an important time for the Catholic community in Portugal, and many churches hold special masses during Holy Week, which is the week before Easter Sunday. Celebrations include processions, special liturgies and religious rituals.
Tombs visitation: It is a tradition in Portugal to visit the graves of deceased loved ones during Holy Week, especially on Good Friday. People take flowers and pray for the deceased, in an act of respect and remembrance.
Food blessings: On Hallelujah Saturday, it is common in some regions of Portugal for people to take baskets of food to the church to be blessed by the priest. These foods are usually consumed at the Easter Sunday meal, in a gesture of sharing and celebration.
Judas' burn: In some regions of Portugal, especially in the Trás-os-Montes region, it is a tradition to do the "Queima do Judas" on Hallel Saturday. A puppet representing Judas Iscariot, the traitorous disciple of Jesus, is built and burned in a public square, in a symbolic act of repudiation of betrayal.
Cuisine: Easter is also a time when Portuguese families gather to share traditional meals. Typical Easter dishes in Portugal include roasted lamb (lamb), folar (a type of sweet bread decorated with whole eggs), boiled octopus and conventual sweets, such as sugary almonds and soft eggs.
These are some of the Easter traditions in Portugal, but it is important to note that practises can vary from region to region and from family to family, as well as in other countries around the world. Easter traditions in Portugal combine religious and cultural elements, creating a rich celebration full of meaning for the Portuguese.
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