The name Mawaca is inspired by the singer-shamans (mawaka) of the Hausa eth… Read Full Bio ↴The name Mawaca is inspired by the singer-shamans (mawaka) of the Hausa ethnic group from northern Nigeria, who resorts to the magical power of the sung word to attract the power of the spirits. The group researches and recreates music of diverse ethnicities around the globe seeking connections with Brazilian music. They are seven female singers, interpreting songs in more than ten languages: Brazilian indigenous languages, Spanish, Bulgarian, Finnish, Japanese, Hungarian, Swahili, Arabic, Greek, Hebrew, Yoruba and Portuguese. Their music features a variety of instruments: accordion, violoncello, flute, violin and soprano sax, bass, in addition to percussion instruments like the Indian tablas, Arab derbak, African djembés, berimbau, vibraphone, marimba and pandeirões of Maranhão.

As Sete Mulheres do Minho
Mawaca Lyrics

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As sete mulheres do Minho
Mulheres de grande valor
Armadas de fuso e roca
Correram com o regedor

Essa mulher lá no Minho
Que da foice fez espada
Há-de ter na lusa História

Uma página doirada

Viva a Maria da Fonte
Com as pistolas na mão

Para matar os Cabrais
Que são falsos à nação

Overall Meaning

The song "As Sete Mulheres do Minho" by Mawaca highlights the bravery and strength of the seven women from Minho, an area in the north of Portugal known for its traditional dress, culture, and music. These women, armed with spindle and distaff, stood up to the regedor (mayor) and fought for their rights, demonstrating the power of women in a male-dominated society. The song also celebrates the story of a woman in Minho who transformed her farming tool, the sickle, into a weapon to fight against oppression. This woman is considered a hero in Portuguese history and her legacy is immortalized in these lyrics.

The song also makes reference to another female hero, Maria da Fonte, a legendary figure who led the Portuguese Civil War in 1846. She is portrayed as a fearless warrior, wielding two pistols to take down the Cabrais, a powerful family who were considered traitors to the nation. By mentioning these women, the song emphasizes the role that women played in shaping Portugal's history and their ability to effect change even in the face of great adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

As sete mulheres do Minho
This refers to the seven women from the Minho region.

Mulheres de grande valor
These women are known for their great worth.

Armadas de fuso e roca
They are equipped with a spindle and a distaff.

Correram com o regedor
They ran after the mayor.

Essa mulher lá no Minho
That woman from Minho.

Que da foice fez espada
She turned her scythe into a sword.

Há-de ter na lusa História
She will have a golden page in Portuguese history.

Uma página doirada
A golden page indeed.

Viva a Maria da Fonte
Hurray for Maria da Fonte!

Com as pistolas na mão
She is holding pistols in her hands.

Para matar os Cabrais
To kill the Cabrais.