They say that the Alentejo is a country within a country - with its own landscapes, cuisine and way of speaking. The Alentejo, a vast, rolling region in southern Portugal, is known for its plains, cork oak forests, and slow, rhythmic way of life.

One of the songs that best captures the essence of Alentejo’s way of being is Mestre Alentejano by António Pinto Basto. This fado is not just music—it is a poetic tribute to the region’s unique dialect, traditions, and outlook. Through witty wordplay Mestre Alentejano celebrates the language, humor, and identity of the Alentejanos, while also playfully highlighting how different their expressions are from the rest of Portugal.

The Poetry of Alentejo’s Language

The lyrics of Mestre Alentejano take the listener on a linguistic trip, illustrating the peculiarities of Alentejo’s dialect. It presents a fascinating contrast between Alentejo’s expressions and the standard Portuguese used in the rest of the country.

For example, in Alentejo, common words and phrases are transformed into something unique:

• Às sopas chamam açorda / E à açorda chamam-lhe migas
  (They call soup ‘açorda’ / And açorda ‘migas’)
• Terra mole é atasquero / Ir embora é abalar
  (Soft earth is ‘atasquero’ / To leave is ‘abalar’)
• Os porcos medem-se às varas / E o peixe vende-se aos quilos
  (Pigs are measured in ‘varas’ / And fish is sold by the kilo)

The Identity of Alentejo in Music

Beyond its language, Mestre Alentejano reflects the soul of the Alentejo—a place where tradition and identity remain strong despite modernization. António Pinto Basto, a well-known Portuguese Fado and traditional music singer, delivers the song with warmth and authenticity. His voice carries the weight of nostalgia, humor, and a clear respect for the Alentejo's way of life.

The song also connects with the Cante Alentejano tradition—a UNESCO-recognized form of polyphonic singing native to the region. While Mestre Alentejano is not a pure example of Cante, it embodies the same spirit of oral storytelling, using music to keep history and culture alive.

Land of big bellies (Terra de grandes barrigas) Where there are so many fat people

They call reasons songs (cantigas)

Milhaduras are tips

Ailments are called maletas

Instead of slopes, planaltos

Instead of whips, nalgadas

And acorns are boletas