Importance and role of stewards in Viana's festivities

The image of the mordomas at the Viana Festivals is a rare synthesis of tradition, aesthetics, and community organization. By donning the costume, carrying the family gold, and representing their parish, each mordoma assumes a role that is both public and intimate. It's not just about parading. It's an exercise in cultural representation, a commitment to faith, and concrete work that involves months of preparation.

The vitality of this figure helps us understand why the Senhora d'Agonia Pilgrimage endures and gains momentum year after year. In a city that reinvents itself without breaking the thread of memory, the mordomas are one of the pillars connecting people, crafts, and rituals.

What it means to be a steward today

Being a stewardess in Viana do Castelo means accepting a responsibility toward the community. The role takes on different forms, depending on the parish and local traditions, but always revolves around two pillars: representation and service.

• Represent the parish in the Stewardship Parade and other public events during the festivities.
• Serve in the organization, helping with fundraising, ceremony logistics, and promoting activities throughout the year.

The steward is not a figurehead. She is a cultural agent. Her presence touches on the religious, the civic, and the economic. And behind the ribbons and gold chains lies a network of decisions, meetings, rehearsals, and concrete tasks that require rigor and a sense of teamwork.

Historical roots of stewardship

The word refers to ancient parish stewardships, guardianship of heritage, almsgiving, and celebrations. In Minho, the organization of festivals depended on these structures, which mobilized men and women in different tasks, but with the same goal: to give life to the pilgrimages.

Over time, the mordoma took on a more visible form. She became a face, a costume, and an emblem. In Viana, this process intensified in the first half of the 20th century, when Viana-style costumes and local goldsmithing began to be presented as hallmarks of identity. Mordomas then established themselves as guardians of a symbolic repertoire: lace, embroidery, jewelry, gestures, songs, and steps.

The costume, the symbols and the gold

Reading costume is a fascinating exercise. There are codes, palettes, textures, and uses that are passed down from generation to generation. And then there's, of course, the gold, layer upon layer, creating a visual narrative where devotion, heritage, and goldsmithing skill intersect.

• A scarf, vest, skirt and apron make up the base, with variations in fabrication and ornamentation.
• A pocket is more than an accessory. It holds everyday objects and family stories.
• The gold is placed carefully: shorter strands near the neck, increasing in length and density. The sequence is not random.

Viana's jewelry includes pieces that have become iconic: the Heart of Viana, the queen's earrings, Viana beads, shrines, crucifixes, and detentes. There's delicate filigree and more robust castles. Each combination strikes a balance between aesthetics and meaning.

Main costume variants

Costume	Palette and fabrics	Key pieces	When to use	Typical gold
To the stewardess	Blacks and dark tones, wool and silk	Silk scarf, embroidered vest, plain skirt, worked pocket	Stewardship Parade and Solemn Acts	Abundant layers, Heart of Viana, collections
Farmer	Red, blue or green, wool and linen	Embroidered apron, ruffled skirt, ribbed vest	Parties and dances, performance contexts	Medium threads, crosses, beads
Bride	Predominance of white and ivory	Fine veil and scarf, lace, meticulous embroidery	Marriages and memorial records	More delicate set, fewer layers
Sunday	Subdued colors, linen and cotton	Discreet apron, simple scarf, little ornamentation	Sunday Masses and departures	Contained ornaments

There is no absolute uniformity. Each parish has its own grammar. It is precisely this plurality that gives the parade its unmistakable visual richness.

Stewardship Parade: shared ritual and spectacle

The Mordomia Parade is one of the highlights of the festivities. Hundreds, and in some years, thousands of women, fill the streets with choreographed elegance. The sounds of Zés Pereiras lead the way, the giants salute, and the city comes to a standstill.

The audience sees color and brilliance. The stewardesses feel the weight of the gold, the rhythm of the steps, the responsibility of not faltering in formation and rhythm. There are protocols: parish alignments, entrance orders, pauses, discreet signals of coordination.

The communicative dimension is enormous. Photographers, television channels, and visitors from various parts of the country and abroad share images that project Viana. The parade is a showcase, but it is also an internal ritual, with codes understood only by those who experience it from the inside.

Functions throughout the festivities

The steward's role doesn't end with the parade. Throughout the pilgrimage, her presence extends to several fronts.

• Participation in religious ceremonies, including mass and processions.
• Monitoring initiatives by the Festival Committee and parishes.
• Visitor support, group guidance and guest hosting.
• Presence at protocol moments with local entities.

In Viana, the Procession to the Sea stands out, an emblematic moment connecting faith and work. The city pays homage to the people of the sea, and many stewards are present along the shores, reinforcing this bridge between devotion and work.

Economy and trades around the stewards

There's an entire ecosystem coming to life with stewards. It's not just during the festive week. The work is spread throughout the year.

• Seamstresses and embroiderers receive orders, adjust and preserve old pieces.
• Goldsmiths and jewelry houses restore, appraise, certify and, in some cases, lend pieces.
• Hairdressers and makeup artists study styles that respect protocol and flatter the overall look.
• Photographers, guides and content producers promote records and itineraries.
• Restaurants, inns and local businesses benefit from the increase in visitors.

This network works best when there are more transactions, when relationships are created. Stewards help sustain a circuit that values ​​skilled labor, refined technique, and respect for materials.

Female leadership and community bonding

The stewards represent a leadership that doesn't ask for permission to exist. They occupy the center of the street and the front row of rituals, without losing their connection to family and parish. This impacts collective self-esteem and the way the city views itself.

It's also evident in the quiet work many lead: fundraising, rehearsals, workshop visits, meetings with the festival committee, and sharing knowledge with younger generations. The results are evident in the parade, but the influence extends throughout the calendar.

In the city's neighborhoods and villages, choosing a steward is a serious matter. It requires availability, tact, and the ability to mobilize. Ultimately, the community recognizes this commitment and responds with support.

Behind the Scenes: How to Prepare a Butler

Preparation begins many months in advance. Every detail counts, and nothing is left to chance.

Typical checklist:

• Definition of the costume and assessment of the condition of the pieces.
• Marking of sewing tests and adjustments.
• Inventory of the family's available gold and possible loan requests.
• Parade rehearsals, posture and gait training in groups.
• Hair and makeup planning, compatible with the scarf and accessories.
• Review of footwear, socks and other items that ensure comfort and safety.
• Organization of transportation, schedules and logistical support on the day.

This process generates sharing between generations. Grandmothers and mothers pass on tricks, from how to tie a scarf to how to care for filigree. Many women keep notebooks with photos, usage notes, and artisan contacts. It's a living heritage.

Gold Protocol and Authenticity Criteria

Gold is the element that most fascinates those who observe it from the outside. For those who wear it, it also represents responsibility. There are informal rules, learned through interaction.

• Combine thicknesses and lengths, creating a harmonious design.
• Ensure each piece is secure, without excessive pressure on the neck.
• Avoid combinations that violate the grammar of the local jewelry store.
• Take care of shine without resorting to aggressive solutions.

Authenticity matters. Pieces with history bear the marks of time that never fade. Alongside these, contemporary creations emerge that respect traditional techniques. The stewards, in collaboration with goldsmiths, have managed to maintain this balance.

Security, insurance and logistics

The weight of gold is real, and so is its value. This calls for concrete measures.

• Discreet transportation, with family or parish support.
• Temporary insurance for higher value items.
• Support points near events for putting on and taking off jewelry.
• Coordination with local authorities during peak times.

The physical safety of stewardesses is equally important. Hydration, breaks, appropriate footwear, and fatigue management make a difference. A fashion show on a hot day requires caution. The goal is for the glitter to not overshadow health care.

Museums, archives and memory under construction

Viana do Castelo has invested in preserving its textile and jewelry collections. The Costume Museum is a landmark, but its history also lives on in parish archives, private collections, and family records.

• Digitizing old photographs to compare uses and ways of dressing.
• Collection of oral testimonies from veteran embroiderers, lacemakers and housekeepers.
• Study of embroidery patterns and regional variations in cut and materials.

Each mordoma who documents their participation adds a thread to this story. The city gains a bank of knowledge that nourishes new generations and sustains the credibility of the festivals.

Education, workshops and programs for youth

Continuity depends on training. There are schools and associations that offer embroidery workshops, filigree introductions, and local ethnography studies. When younger children experience the costume in a pedagogical context, the connection is no longer just visual.

A simple program might include:

• Visit to a jewelry store with a filigree demonstration.
• Session on types of attire and their codes.
• Scarf tying and jewelry placement workshop.
• Rehearsal with musical accompaniment to get the rhythm right.

The result is visible in the sparkle in their eyes and the confidence with which they enter the street. Material culture takes shape in gestures learned through practice.

Cultural tourism and image of Viana

The stewards project Viana beyond the city's borders. Images circulate, visitors arrive, and many plan their schedules to see the parade. This flow brings revenue and reputation, but it also raises delicate questions: how to welcome without distorting the city, how to explain without oversimplifying.

Solutions that have worked:

• Cultural mediation in several languages, with trained guides.
• Signage that respects routes and avoids pressure on areas of greater density.
• Visiting times for museums and exhibitions adjusted to the festival schedule.
• Responsible sale of quality replicas and informational materials.

Tourism that respects and learns is what contributes the most. The stewardship, as an image of the city, wins when visitors understand they're seeing more than just a pretty parade. They're seeing a community organizing around values, faith, and work.

Sustainability and social responsibility

There are legitimate concerns about environmental and social impact. This care begins with the choice of materials and extends to the way each activity is organized.

• Valorization of natural fibers and low-intensity production techniques.
• Recovery and reuse of old parts, with qualified restoration.
• Proximity logistics to reduce unnecessary travel.
• Partnerships with schools and associations to expand access to costumes and knowledge.

Another essential point is inclusion. Viana is now a territory with immigrant and emigrant communities. When a young woman from a newly arrived family dons the costume and marches with her parish, she wins them all over. The festival becomes a faithful reflection of the real city.

Digital communication without losing sight of the world

Social media has brought the Pilgrimage closer to new audiences. The stewards have become the protagonists of content shared by thousands of people. This exposure is both an opportunity and a challenge.

Good practices:

• Clear credits to seamstresses, embroiderers, goldsmiths and photographers.
• Correct information about the outfit and pieces, avoiding confusion.
• Consent for close-up portraits and commercial use of images.
• Curated by local institutions, with calendars and glossaries.

When communication is well-managed, the public image reinforces the quality of internal work. And the city's reputation grows without losing its integrity.

The role of the steward in the institutional fabric

Festival committees, parish councils, parishes, schools, and cultural associations form an organizational mosaic. The stewards move between these bodies naturally, building bridges.

• They participate in meetings and design solutions to very concrete problems.
• They identify needs, such as urgent restorations or support for families.
• They take the voice of the parish to the central committee and return updated information.

This circulation puts culture in dialogue with local administration, and anchors decisions in practices and knowledge recognized by the city.

Preparing for tomorrow while remaining faithful to yesterday

There's room for responsible innovation. It's not about change for the sake of change, but about responding to real needs without breaking the thread that sustains the meaning of the celebration.

• Document processes and create best practice guides for new stewards.
• Promote scholarships to support the costs of attire and gold in cases of lower economic capacity.
• Encourage academic research that helps clarify the origins and variations of the costume.
• Encourage artisan residencies, connecting workshops to schools and museums.

Faithfulness to a tradition isn't measured by its rigidity, but by its ability to remain true in different times. In Viana, the stewards show that it's possible.

A legacy that can be seen and heard

As the drum beats the beat and the gold chains gleam in the afternoon light, it becomes clear that the stewards' language goes beyond the visual. There's a sound, a rhythm, a combined breath that gives the parade unity.

• Getting dressed is a domestic ritual done in silence and laughter.
• The meeting at the starting point is a mixture of nerves and complicity.
• The first glimpse of the public renews energy and erases hours of preparation.

At the end of the day, each steward returns home richer in stories. She'll keep her handkerchief and beads in their usual place, knowing that the city also keeps them, as it keeps essential things. And, when the calendar turns, the discreet work that makes the festivities much more than just a week in August begins again. It's life unfolding with roots, face, and voice.