The Museu Carlos Machado is hosting a temporary exhibition dedicated to the "Mês das Almas" at the Núcleo de Santo André.

This exhibition evokes the meaning of the cult of the dead, a universal practice that takes on particularly significant expressions in Azorean culture. It explores the various practices and manifestations of devotion and remembrance associated with this period, traditionally dedicated to the souls.

The exhibition will be open to the public throughout the month of November.

Context and Collection

The exhibition focuses on how the community relates to the memory of those who have passed, highlighting central elements of popular devotion. Regional traditions are explored, such as the "Pão por Deus" (or "Pão das Almas"), the "esmolas brancas", the “vestir por alma”, and the "cantar ou apregoar às almas" — practices and experiences that demonstrate the deep connection between the community and the perpetuation of memory.

Highlights from the Collection

The exhibition is structured around a selected group of pieces from the Museu Carlos Machado collection, which illustrate and document these practices and traditions:

"São Miguel Arcanjo e as Almas do Purgatório": Panel painting (attributed to the 18th century) depicting Archangel São Miguel with the souls in Purgatory. This type of painting had a pedagogical and devotional function, reinforcing the importance of prayer and good deeds.

"Cruzes das almas": Examples marking places of devotion.

"Cantar às Almas": Screening of a documentary made in the parish of Achadinha, in Nordeste, Ilha de São Miguel (2016), which records this devotional practice, still maintained today.

Ethnographic Pieces: The exhibition also includes various objects, such as clothing, crucifixes, lamps, and bowls, which contextualize the rituals and mourning practices in Azorean popular culture.

This initiative offers visitors an understanding of the cultural and religious expressions that define Azorean identity in the context of memory and devotion.