Saudade

Almeida Júnior - Saudade (Longing) - Google Art Project

The Portuguese Empire

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Bertha Worms - Saudades de Nápoles, 1895

Cesária Évora 2008

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Localización de Galicia

Saudade is a deep emotional state of nostalgic or profound melancholic longing for an absent something or someone that one loves. Moreover, it often carries a repressed knowledge that the object of longing might never return. A unique term in Portuguese, saudade embodies a complex mix of emotions, including love, loss, and memory. Saudade is a common theme in Portuguese and Brazilian music, poetry, and art.

Etymology

The word saudade is derived from the Latin word solitatem, meaning loneliness or solitude. However, the modern concept of saudade is distinctly different from mere loneliness, encompassing a deeper emotional state. It is a word that has evolved in its meaning within the Portuguese language, and its exact translation is difficult, as it conveys a multitude of feelings.

Cultural Significance

Saudade is a key concept in the cultural identity of Portuguese and Brazilian societies, symbolizing a sense of belonging and deep emotional connections to place, people, and experiences. It is often associated with the sea and the Portuguese discoveries, reflecting the longing of sailors for their homeland or of families for their distant loved ones.

In Brazil, saudade takes on a slightly different connotation, reflecting the diverse cultural influences that have shaped the country. It is often related to the music genre Bossa Nova and Samba, where it is expressed in themes of love, loss, and yearning.

In Literature and Music

Saudade is a recurrent theme in Portuguese and Brazilian literature, where it is explored in the works of writers such as Fernando Pessoa and Cecília Meireles. Pessoa, in particular, has written extensively on saudade, describing it as a "vague and constant desire for something that does not and probably cannot exist."

In music, saudade is a prevalent theme in the traditional Portuguese music genre Fado. Fado songs often express longing for something lost, embodying the essence of saudade. Similarly, in Brazil, the emotion is a central theme in Bossa Nova and Samba lyrics, reflecting a yearning for love, happiness, and success.

Philosophical and Psychological Perspectives

Philosophically, saudade is seen as a reflection of the human condition, a manifestation of feelings related to temporality, loss, and the desire for connection. Psychologically, it can be viewed as a form of mourning for what has been lost, whether it be a person, place, or experience.

See Also

• Fado
• Bossa Nova
• Fernando Pessoa
• Cecília Meireles

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