The figure of the Saloio, defined by his swarthy complexion,
medium height, tasselled cap falling to his shoulder, is the characteristic
type of the inhabitant of the countryside round Sintra who is engaged
in farming. In historical terms he is a descendent of the Mozarabs,
conquered Moors who were converted to Chistrianity after the Reconquest
by Dom Afonso Henriques. The term Saloio is of Arab origin, meaning
"countryman".
In the Sintra district handicrafts are a flourishing activity with traditions
going back centuries. Special mention should be made of the pottery
workshops of Eduardo Azenha at Santa Suzana and of Carlos Viseu at Almoçageme.
The basket workshop of Manuel Silvestre Lobinho at Gouveia and the ropemaking
workshops, and in particular the stone and marble cutters in the Montelavar
and Pero Pinheiro district reflect ancestral work processes. |
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