Clapping, hands in the air until the dance ends
Clapping, it's over and the circle dance is finished"
If you were one of the pairs in the Baile Mandado (Mandated Dance), typical of the Algarve region, these would be some of the instructions you might hear from the caller. In Algarve, there was the Corridinho too, which was also popular in Alentejo, Ribatejo, Beiras, and Estremadura. Similar to the Baile Mandado (due to the presence of the caller, of course), there was in Alentejo the Valsa Mandada (Mandated Waltz). Woe to the pair that missed the steps! They were immediately out! In Minho, we had the Vira, the Chula (or Xula), the Cana Verde, and the Malhão.
These were some of the ancient Portuguese popular manifestations of festivities, full of joy, fun, and animation, which delighted any spectator's eyes with their contagious rhythms, sometimes dizzying movements, and the mixtures of their colourful costumes.
For the young people of that time, these dances were also great opportunities to break social distances and, with some luck, go through courtship rituals. After all, a vida não é só trabalho (life isn't just about work)!
In these dances and festivities, it's almost impossible to remain indifferent to the female figures and their skirts that seem to transform with every movement and twirl, following the demanding rhythm of their dancers, without any stumble.
Our A Bailadeira Table Lamp aims to brighten up any space it's in, although it doesn’t know how to dance. It radiates rhythm, agility, skill and elegance with its lines inspired by the skirts of the female dancers.
Details of the A Bailadeira table lamp, in the Tangerine finish with the Vanilla lampshade. © After Hall 2024
When adorned with its lampshade, one can even imagine its arms raised in the air, spinning and hopping with its skirt, as if dancing the Vira or the Malhão.
Its finishes reflect the regional diversity of these dances and the colourful festivity seen in the costumes of the dancers: from the warm tone of the rocks of the Algarve beaches, to the beige of almonds (from Algarve too!), through the fresh green of the Alentejo olive groves, to the pink of ripe grapes from the Douro and even to the golden tones of Minho jewellery.
When we have so much “Portugality” mixed in, the result can only be a true celebration of colours and movement!
Available finishes and the inspiration behind them (left to right): Verdeal, Almond, BBrushed Brass, Rosé and Tangerine. © After Hall 2024
DISCOVER THE A BAILADEIRA COLLECTION
Cover photo: Vira of Nazaré – Estremadura. Mário Costa (1902-1975). Undated.