Mothers, whores and spells: Tradition and change in Portuguese sexuality

Abstract

This article presents a case study looking at the social upheavals generated by the presence of young Brazilian women in a town in northern Portugal (Bragança) with strong traditionalist traits. Due to their situation as prostitutes, seducers and immigrants, these women were regarded as disturbing the social order. A number of women of the town, calling themselves the Mothers of Bragança, organized themselves into a social movement to drive the Brazilian women out of the town, accusing them of bewitching their husbands with charms and magic. Focusing on issues of social change, the research takes up the challenge of interpreting the mothers’ movement, the stereotypes associated with this movement and the Brazilian incomers, and also certain dilemmas of masculinity.