Portuguese Folk Dancing Group of Cape Town

Following his arrival in South Africa, Antonio, together with his wife and two children, began sharing their passion for Madeiran culture through song and small performances. As interest grew, he formed a dedicated group of musicians and dancers, consisting predominantly of immigrants from Camacha who had settled in South Africa.

With tremendous passion, discipline, and dedication, Antonio Martins taught the traditional songs and dances of his homeland, laying a strong foundation for future generations. After many years of leadership, he gradually passed the responsibility to his nephew, Alberto Gonçalves, and later to his niece, Vera da Silva. Today, the group continues to thrive under the leadership of Vera da Silva, alongside principal dance instructor Victor Henriques.

The group proudly represents the folk dances and musical traditions of Madeira and Northern Portugal. Its Madeiran costumes are traditional to the village of Camacha, while its Northern Portuguese costumes originate from Viana do Castelo, one of Portugal's most renowned regions for traditional folklore.

For many years, it has been the only Portuguese folk dancing group in the Western Cape, serving as custodian of an important cultural heritage and sharing it with diverse audiences throughout South Africa and abroad.

Notable performances and milestones

Over the years, the group has taken part in many cultural, religious and community events, including:

• Annual Dia de Portugal celebrations on 10 June
• Annual Dia da Madeira celebrations on 1 July
• Founder's Day commemorations throughout the Cape Town region
• Multicultural folklore festivals
• Church festivals and community celebrations
• The annual Dias Festival in Mossel Bay (1987 to 2020)
• A national tour of South Africa in 1991, with performances in East London, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg
• The recording of a complete collection of its traditional songs on CD between 2000 and 2001. This proved to be a valuable investment in preserving its musical heritage: the group later faced a shortage of musicians and now performs using these original recordings.
• A cultural tour to Madeira in 2002
• A cultural tour to Portugal in 2011
• An international folklore festival in Paralia, Greece, in 2019

Members

The group welcomes members of all ages and backgrounds who share a passion for Portuguese culture and folklore. Its members are currently mostly women, and boys and men are warmly encouraged to join the dancing troupe. The group is also always looking for musicians who would like to help preserve and perform traditional Portuguese folk music.

Mission

The group's mission is to preserve and promote the rich dance and musical traditions passed down by its forefathers. Through performance, education and cultural exchange, it strives to inspire younger generations to embrace their heritage, develop a deep appreciation for Portuguese culture, and carry these treasured traditions forward for generations to come.