Figure 1.--This photograph was taken in 1935 on Ilha de S�o Miguel, Azores. It shows a young boy carrying a new pair of wooden shoes. Probably his father was a cobbler and the child was delivering the shoes to a customer It is strange to see a barefoot child carring shoes for someone else, but this photo shows how common was for Portuguese children to go barefoot. This was a custom that in Azores with its mild climate was usual all year round. Many children didn't own any footwear. That was surely a matter of poverty. So the parents saved the money to provide their children footwear and hosiery. We think, however, that other elements are also important. Where the weather doesn't force to wear shoes and all the children go barefoot. Notice that the bot wears knickers rather thn short pants which were more common in Portugal at he time.

The Azores are a widely-separated archipelago located some 970 miles (1,560 km) directly due west from Lisbon out into the Atlantic Ocean. North America is another 3,900 kilometers. The archipelago is made up of nine volcanic islands arranged on an east-west axis. The nine islands are divided into three groups. The Eastern group includes Santa Maria and São Miguel, the Central group includes Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial and the Western group includes Flores and Corvo. The economy has bee traditionally based on agriculture, dairy farming, livestock, and of course fishing. The Azores are well known for flavorful cheeses, red and white wines, and many varieties of tropical fruit. Since World War II, tourism has become a major part of the economy. The economy is increasingly a popular tourist attraction. Deepsea fishing is a major attraction. It is not yet clear if the Azores were inhabited before the arrival of the Portuguese. There is some debate as to the origins of hypogea which may pre-date the Portuguese. There also may have been a Norse settlement before the Portuguese. The islands were known to Europeans as early (14th century). As to just who discovered the islands an when is unknown. The Portuguese settled the Azores as part of the voyages of discovery (mid-15th century). The islands position in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean makes them territory of considerable strategic importance. They had to be avoided by Columbus and other Spanish seafarers. The Azores played an role in the World War II Battle of the Atlantic. The NAZIs considered seizing them Portugal maintained its neutrality during the era of NAZI ascendancy. Franco refusal to accede to NAZI demands (October 1940), basically shielded Portugal. As the War turned against the Germans, Portugal gave the Allies access to the Azores to build bases, helping defeat the German U-boat threat. After the War as Portugal developed a democratic system, the Azores were granted the status of an Autonomous Region (1976). Self government was instituted through an amendment to the Portuguese Constitution. The Azores now enjoy home rule. The Regional Government operates in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel. The Regional Assembly is located in the city of Horta, Faial. The members of the Assembly and Government are elected by popular vote. The Portuguese Government maintains the the Minister of the Republic who is resident in Angra do Heroismo on Terceira. The Azores are an important mid-ocean refueling and supply point for commercial airlines, cruise ships, international shipping, and private yachts. The Portuguese were the primary fashion influence. There is one interesting difference--the Azorean hood. The Azorean Hood or ‘Capote e Capelo,’ is a traditional garment worn in the Azores by women until the 1930s. The origins of the style are unclear. Some attribute it to Flemish settlers. With the increase in marine activity settlers and traders from Flanders as well as Genoa, Britain, and France came to the Azores in addition to people from mainland Portugal (15th-16th centuries). The result was a blend of cultures contributing to some distinctive traditions and customs.

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Created: 6:20 PM 5/27/2013
Last updated: 6:20 PM 5/27/2013