Pão por Deus

Pão-por-Deus (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpɐ̃w puɾ ˈðewʃ], "Bread for God") is the Portuguese tradition of souling celebrated all over Portugal, named for the soulmass-cakes given to the poor on All Saints' Day, typically by children and youth. Names for the custom vary through different regions of the country, for instance, around Leiria it is known as "Dia do Bolinho" ("Cookie Day").

Origins

There are records of the day of Pão-de-Deus in the 15th century. On 1 November 1755 in Lisbon, after the vast majority of the city's residents lost everything to the Great Lisbon earthquake the survivors had to ask for this bread in the neighbouring towns.

Customs

From early in the morning (8 or 9 am) children meet together and walk around the neighborhood, knock at all doors and local stores and say "Pão-por-Deus" to the adults they meet.

People at home give them small gifts such as broas (small bread-like cakes flavored heavily with anise and nuts), chocolates, candy, nuts, fruit, or in some cases, money.

At the local stores, the offers are different. A store may give the children treats or a sample of a product they sell: bakers give a little bread, fruit stalls give some chestnuts, and so on.

In the Azores, the children are given a cake called "caspiada" during this ritual begging. The cakes have the shape of the top of a skull.

The Pão-de-Deus or Santoro is the bread, or offering, that is given to the dead, the Molete or Samagaio (also called sabatina, raiva da criança (child's rage)) is the bread, or offering, that is given when a child is born.

Rhyme

Bread-for-God, bread-for-God, bag full we go with God. or Cupcakes and cookies For me and for you, To give to the deceased Who are dead and buried To the beautiful, beautiful cross Knock, knock! The lady inside Sitting on a stool Please get up To come and give a penny. Candy is given: This house smells like bread, Good people live here. This house smells of wine, A little saint lives here. If no candy is given: This house smells of garlic A scarecrow lives here. This house smells like grease. A deceased person lives here. Bread, bread for god's sake, Fill my bag, and Ill go away. If they are not satisfied they say May the evil weevil, strike you in the pot, and leave you no, bran or bran left Azores version Give bread for God Which God gave you To share With God's Believers For the dead From you ... When the begging is unfruitful: You lock me out I flee to the street And may it all be For the love of God

Pão-por-Deus, pão-por-Deus, Saco cheio vamos com Deus. ou Bolinhos e bolinhós Para mim e para vós, Para dar aos finados Que estão mortos e enterrados À bela, bela cruz Truz, Truz! A senhora que está lá dentro Sentada num banquinho Faz favor de s'alevantar Para vir dar um tostãozinho. Se dão doces: Esta casa cheira a broa, Aqui mora gente boa. Esta casa cheira a vinho, Aqui mora um santinho. Se não dão doces: Esta casa cheira a alho Aqui mora um espantalho. Esta casa cheira a unto Aqui mora algum defunto Pão, pão por deus à mangarola, encham-me o saco, e vou-me embora. Se não ficarem satisfeitos dizem: O gorgulho gorgulhote, lhe dê no pote, e lhe não deixe, farelo nem farelote Versão dos Açores Dae pão-por-Deus Que vos deu Deus P'ra repartir C'os fieis de Deus Pelos defuntos De vo'meces... Quando o peditório é infructuoso: Tranca me dáes fujo p'rá rua E seja tudo Pelo amor de Deus

See also

• Culture of Portugal
• Soul cake
• Allerheiligenstriezel