There are professions that are our heritage. They inspire fascination and admiration in others. They can make time go back, or immerse us in the past lives of others and other stories. Many have vanished, lost to time, but they have left an indisputable mark on others and on the very land itself.
In Madeira, the levadas are one of the greatest legacies of the region and, since 2017, are on the Portuguese Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage status. Inseparable from the history of these structures is the work of the levadeiros, responsible not only for their maintenance but also for bringing water to the local populations and communities.
In this issue of Portuguese Soul, we set out to discover this legacy. Who are these men who, with compass and conch shell in hand, are part of a story that remains to be told?
(Left and middle) Madeira traditional beanie: stylist own; Shirt: Pedro Pedro | (Right) Boots: Sanjo; Madeira traditional beanie: stylist own; Shirt: Pedro Pedro; Vest: Luís Carvalho; Trousers: David Catalán
(Left) Boots: J.Reinaldo; Madeira traditional beanie: stylist own; Shirt: Pedro Pedro; Trousers: David Catalán; Socks: stylist own
(Left) Madeira traditional beanie: stylist own; Shirt and Jacket: Luís Carvalho | (Right) Boots: Ambitious; Madeira traditional beanie: stylist own; Blazer: Luís Carvalho; Skirt (on the chest): Luís Carvalho; Shorts: Andreia Reimão; Socks: stylist own
(Left) Boots: Nobrand; Total look: David Catalán; Socks: stylist own | (Right) Jacket: Pedro Pedro
Boots: Ambitious; Madeira traditional beanie: stylist own; Scarf: Huarte; Cardigan: Pedro Pedro; Skirt and trousers: Huarte
(Left) Boots: Carlos Santos; Inside jumpsuit: Huarte; Shirt: Pedro Pedro; Trousers: Luís Carvalho | (Right) Madeira traditional beanie: stylist own; Vest: Andreia Reimão; Shirt: Pedro Pedro
(Left) Madeira traditional beanie: stylist own; Jacket: Pedro Pedro | (Right) Boots: Campobello; Madeira traditional beanie: stylist own; Full look: Luís Carvalho; Socks: stylist own
Full look: David Catalán
(Left) Shoes: Dark Collection; Madeira traditional beanie: stylist own; Jacket: Pedro Pedro; Shirt: Pedro Pedro; Trousers: Estelita Mendonça | (Middle) Boots: Miguel Vieira; Shirt: Pedro Pedro; Vest and trousers: Andreia Reimão | (Right) Madeira traditional beanie: stylist own; Jacket: Estelita Mendonça; Shirt: Pedro Pedro
(Left) Shoes: Valuni; Madeira traditional beanie: stylist own; Tank top: Huarte; Jacket: David Catalán; Trousers: Pedro Pedro; Socks: stylist own | (Right) Boots: Sanjo; Madeira traditional beanie: stylist own; Jacket: Pedro Pedro; Vest: Luís Carvalho; Trousers: David Catalán
Photography: Ricardo Santos
Styling: Joel Alves
Grooming: Rui Rocha
Production: Snowberry
Model: Aleksander Lukowski (Metropolitan Models)
Special thanks to: Associação Turismo da Madeira