Mestres, Mães do Mar

A portrayal of "Mestres", mothers of the sea, women of strength who support their family and the sale of fish, driven by the tradition of a matriarchal society in Vila do Conde. Being a true example of female empowerment, it is through their daily lives that Filomena, Lurdes and Hermínia stand out as individual beings, escaping the stereotypes commonly associated with fishmongers. Although very different, the three generations of "Mestres" share the same values, the love for their family, the dedication to their profession and the appreciation for their independence. In Portugal and in western culture in general it is not common to find communities that are assumedly matriarchal, so the "Mestres" become figures of strong presence in Caxinas and, through the observation of their daily lives, we preserve for future memory and pay tribute to these women of strength, who even losing parents, husbands, children, at sea, continue to manage their families and their business, constituting the pillar of the family and assuming a position of power before the workers of the fishing boats and their own husbands.