Our 2025 documentary will take us to the Azores Islands, an archipelago 1,600 kilometers off the coast of mainland Portugal. The traditional music native to the Azores is directly linked to its cultural heritage; thanks to the uniqueness of the region’s primary musical instrument, the Viola da Terra.
The archipelago comprises nine islands; the team will travel to Terceira and São Miguel. Known for their volcanic landscapes, the Azores Islands are breathtaking to visit; but the history, culture, and tradition of the islands are essential parts of life in the Azores.
We will tell the story of how the Azorean music style came to be and the instrument that created these islands’ unique sound; a type of Portuguese guitar, the Viola da Terra. Viola da Terra translates to “guitar of the land”, this name is fitting for the cultural significance of the instrument. The Viola da Terra has a complicated history; with a decline in players due to years of emigration. Today, musicians are working to pass the heritage of the viola and the history of Azorean traditional music down to the next generation.
The Viola da Terra has 12 steel strings comprised of three orders of two strings and two orders of three strings. The tuning of the instrument is dependent on the island; D – B – G – D – A on the islands of São Miguel and Santa Maria, the other seven islands tune E – B – G – D – A.
The unique strings of the Viola da Terra produce a signature tone; a harmonious blend of warmth and brightness. The instrument features symbolic decorations and inlays that exhibit the exceptional folk artistry of the Azorean people. The Viola da Terra has distinctive heart-shaped soundholes. It is said that this two-heart design represents the history of the Azores; one heart for those who emigrated from the islands and one for those who stayed. Below the two hearts is the “umbilical cord” which connects the two communities.
Although the Viola da Terra is the most widely played Viola of the Azores, there are four other viola types native to the islands: Viola da Fado, Viola da Terceira, Viola Braguesa, and the Viola da Arame. Each of these violas is unique, with different numbers of strings and tuning for each. Although these violas are played on different islands, the Viola da Terra is played on all 9 islands. This viola unites the Azores thanks to its rich historical significance.
The Viola da Terra serves as a manifestation of Azorean identity and resilience. It is a defining feature of the Azores’ unique culture, shaped over centuries. The preservation of the Viola da Terra depends on a delicate balance of upholding tradition and embracing modernity.
Celebrations of all kinds depend on the unique music of the Viola da Terra. The instrument is played at carnival dances, folkloric festivals, and community gatherings. Traditionally, the instrument was played during hard times. The Viola da Terra is often played with melodies that evoke longing, separation, and nostalgia; hallmarks of the region’s musical heritage.
“Saudade” is a Portuguese word essential to the music of the Viola da Terra. Saudade translates to a deep, bittersweet longing for someone or something absent; in other words, nostalgia for what has been lost. Whilst saudade is not exclusively related to music, the word has become a theme of Portuguese music; reflecting the lived experiences of communities shaped by migration and separation.
To continue the legacy of the Viola da Terra, the next generation must continue to practice this tradition; a key component of traditional Azorean music. Students of the Viola da Terra must learn how to play the instrument, but the art of building the Violas is another aspect of the preservation. Unless the craftsmanship of designing these violas is passed on, the Viola da Terra will fade.
Today, the legacy of the Viola da Terra lives on. In recent years, the instrument has experienced a resurgence thanks to musicians dedicated to teaching the next generation how to play and care for the Viola.