Bugiada & Mouriscada
The Bugiada e Mouriscada is an ancient legend, passed down from generation to generation, performed as a theatrical play on June 24th.
It is said that in ancient times, two peoples lived in the region of the Ferreira River: the Moors who occupied the Serra de Cuca Macuca (now Serra de Santa Justa) and the Christians who lived in the river valley.
The Moors or Mourisqueiros (as they are known) dedicated themselves to gold mining in the mountains and were led by the Reimoeiro. The Christians or Bugios (as they are known) dedicated themselves to agricultural work and were led by the Velho da Bugiada.
Chapter II
One day, the Reimoeiro's daughter fell gravely ill and there was no cure for her ailment. Her father turned to all the wise men and healers in search of a solution, but without success. Feeling powerless, he grew impatient.
Then he heard that the Bugios, a neighboring people who lived in Sobrado, worshipped an image of São João Baptista that was famous for its miracles, including the healing of an illness that the daughter of the Velho da Bugiada himself had suffered. In desperation, he asked the Bugios to lend the image to intercede for his daughter's cure. The Bugios, in solidarity with the Reimoeiro, lent the image and São João performed another miracle. The girl was cured, to her father's joy.
In gratitude for the grace received, the Reimoeiro organized a feast, but refused to return the image to the Bugios. But the Reimoeiro's ingratitude went further — at the banquet he offered, as an affront, he gave the leftovers to the Bugios. They responded in kind. The die was cast.
Chapter III
The Bugios claimed the image as theirs, the Moors refused to give it back. War broke out. Messages were exchanged between the two tribes — through the Messenger — in an attempt to make peace. To no avail. The Doctors of Law also intervened and debated the laws between them. Failing to reach an agreement, shots were fired between the two platforms (castles) and tensions boiled over.
When the Bugios ran out of gunpowder, the Reimoeiro gathered his army, marched towards the opposite platform (the Bugios') and took it by storm, imprisoning the Velho.
“An ancient legend, passed down from generation to generation — which takes the form of a play on June 24th.
Chapter IV
Despair and injustice reigned… the Bugios, in solidarity, had lent the image to the Mourisqueiros and found themselves, without justification, involved in a war. The consequences of the Bugios' defeat were the loss of the "Saint" and their leader.
The Velho da Bugiada was imprisoned and only divine intervention could save the Bugios and their chief from ruin. It was at this moment that the Bugios implored the help of São João, their patron saint, who once again did not forsake them. The Bugios remembered the Moors' fear of monstrous figures, deciding to create a Serpe to frighten them.
The Bugios charged with the Serpe against the Mourisqueiros. Terrified, they fled, releasing the Velho da Bugiada. In the end, the original order was restored.
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Discover all the characters that bring this centuries-old tradition to life.
For additional institutional information, visit the official website of Associação São João de Sobrado.
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