Spirit of Fado

Art and writing by Nahom Assefa

Fado is one of those genres that hits you right in the soul—a rhythmic and heart-wrenching music that beautifully captures melancholy. I’d argue it’s the blues of Europe.

Among the music sung in the Portuguese language, I’ve been listening to Brazilian beats. Another favorite of mine is Cape Verdean music, with its groovy, upbeat vibe. My first encounter with Portuguese music from mainland Portugal was through Amália Rodrigues, a Fado legend. It’s been a few years, though I didn’t fully dive into the genre at the time.

Now that I give the genre another chance, I’m amazed by the cultural contrast between Brazil and Portugal—a juxtaposition of samba and Fado. Where samba is vibrant, joyful, and alive with rhythm, Fado is quiet, reflective, and filled with saudade, that deep sense of longing. It’s fascinating how two cultures sharing a language and roots can express such different sides of emotions.

Read the full cultural analysis of Fado by pressing the link below.