A portrait of the azores: from natural forces to cultural identity

Abstract

A comprehensive description of Azorean cultural identity does not exist, and would certainly deserve thorough investigation on the islands themselves and a monograph of its own. What we can do here is to take a look at some single landmarks of this unmapped territory, selected mainly from the perspective of how people live with the forces of nature. How do people deal with them, and how are these forces mirrored in their behaviour, beliefs, rituals, and symbolic and imaginative expressions? Is there an Azorean culture? Before we address this question, presenting some evidence from emigration, religion, and literature, we will provide some historical and economic background.