Portuguese Influence and Christmas

Five hundred years ago Portugal was one of the world's great powers due to her exploration and discovery. Famous navigators like, Vasco da Gama had reached India and others like, Alfonso de Alburqueque had reached Malacca (A'Famosa Fortress or the Porta de Santiago or read more at http://khleo.tripod.com/mfort.htm). Portuguese sailors boldly set their course into dark, unknown waters.

The Portuguese;
-had colonized Azores and Madeira
-found St. Helena
-took possession of Brazil
-reached India
-made Goa their centre of influence
-touched at Malacca
-landed in China
-and arrived in Japan

Portugal was under Moorish government for over three hundred years and finally in 1147, Lisbon was freed from the Moors.

Phillip II swallows Portugal in one gulp but Portugal regained freedom and became close allied with England.

The major cities of Portugal are Lisbon, Oporto, Setubal, Coimbra, Funchal and Braga where the majority of the Portuguese are Roman Catholics.

visit Portugal http://www.visitingportugal.com/

On Christmas Eve, Portuguese children can find presents and gifts under the Christmas Tree and and in the red shoes by the fireplace delivered by Father Christmas. Like the Chinese, the Portuguese hold their reunion dinner on the eve of Christmas and they favored codfish with vegetables, boiled potatoes, shellfish, roasted turkeys and other expensive foods.

Boas Festas.
Merry Christmas.