The Cantareiras: A Living Testament to Galician Tradition
Long before there were stages, microphones, or festivals, they were already singing—in villages, while working in the fields, at family gatherings, or during folk celebrations. For generations, the cantareiras have been the guardians of an oral tradition that today forms an essential part of Galicia’s cultural identity.
That is why the Galician Literature Day 2025 It is dedicated to the cantareiras, women who preserved and passed down songs, melodies, and stories from one generation to the next.
This recognition is embodied by seven prominent figures from the Galician oral tradition: Adolfina and Rosa Casás, from Cerceda; Asunción Garrido and Manuela Lema, from Mens; Teresa García Prieto and Prudencia Garrido, also from Mens; and Eva Castiñeira, from Muxía. Many of his songs were collected in the Songbook by Dorothé Schubarth, a seminal work for the preservation of traditional Galician music.
They represent many other anonymous women who kept Galician folk culture alive long before traditional music made its way onto the stage.
Our small contribution to raising awareness of our culture
At Daveiga, we believe that the culture that originates in our villages deserves to continue being celebrated and shared. That is why we collaborate with the feminist collective Polamiuda, which has been organizing the festival for the past three years Polas Bravas, a cultural event that brings together music, poetry, circus, comedy, and theater.
To mark this year's Letras Galegas, the group wanted to pay special tribute to the female singers by bringing together women from the area to form a choir which will accompany the traditional music during the festival. This initiative revives the collective spirit of the cantigas and highlights the role of women in passing on popular culture.
A Celebration of Living Culture in Chantada
We at Daveiga wanted to join in this commemoration to to highlight and raise awareness of the cultural richness we have in Chantada, by supporting initiatives that keep our tradition alive.
You'll be able to enjoy the result very soon:
📅 May 30 and 31
📍 Chantada
🎭 Festival Polas Bravas
Two days filled with culture, music, and community, during which the Cantareiras will once again take their rightful place: as the voices that connect us to our history.
Because even before stages existed… they were already singing.
