On Shrove Tuesday, the Cortejo Trapalhão (Trickster Parade) fills in the street of Funchal with people showing their disguises and thousands of persons to see them.

This Carnival parade is the funniest in Funchal, as the satires are varied with masquerades amusing everyone playing with many areas of Madeira life, present and past. The caricatures of the politicians are an example and some traditional figures as well, like the old milkman.

The Trickster Parade is open to everyone who wish to participate in it, with its own disguise and, at the end, there is a prize giving ceremony to award the more creative ones. Other parades similar to this one but smaller, are held through almost all villages in Madeira and Porto Santo, on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Photos by Helena Oliveira

The roof capitals of Madeira houses, for some specialists seem to be a product of the ancestral phallic worship of the pre-Christians in Peninsula, though there are others who stand by the Holy Spirit worship survivals from the same pre-Christian period. It is not known roof capitals dating before the centuries 18th or 19th but there must have been some, made by hand, different from the industrial ones that we see now.

It all takes one to believe that these are janitor elements of the family in the field of health, well-being and happiness in each home.

There is a proverb that says “the one who marry want a home” (in Portuguese “quem casa quer casa”) so that is a good reason to have a couple of doves or kids heads with or without a hat as roof capitals. The symbols mean the wishes of happiness for the couple that would live on that house, as well as for their children.

One can also find other figures like dog or cat heads, parrots, griffons or cocks.

Photos by Catarina Fagundes

One of the oldest manufactures in Madeira is the articles made of wicker work, by hand, which is still a traditional product. The village most known for this industry is Camacha where the excellence of its products is noted and where different items are made, such as baskets, furnishing and some house utilities.

Photo by Catarina Fagundes

As one ride through the neighbourhood of Camacha it is possible to see stacks of willow wands drying in the sun. This process preserves the original white colour but a browner tone is obtained when the canes are boiled in water.

Madeira in a Box is a new company in Madeira Island that allows you to buy the best products of Madeira grouped in diversified hampers.

In a simple box you will be able to taste some of Madeira's typical flavours, as Madeira wine, honey cake, poncha, try Aloe Vera beauty products, original and exclusive engravings, or have access to the recognized Madeira embroidery through bracelets, cloths, wallets or handbags.

There are two ways of getting these products, Madeira-in-a-box personalized delivery in the Madeira Island, if you are here, or through Chronopost International that delivers your package at home, throughout Europe.

Funchal city is characterized by the three small rivers that cross it. With just a bit of water most of the year, all three rivers, São João, Santa Luzia and João Gomes, are covered with bougainvilleas that give a very colourful scenery to the city.

Photo by Catarina Fagundes

Photo by Miguel Fagundes