User:EntropyEnthusiast/Carvoeiro (Pampilhosa da Serra)

Carvoeiro is a Portuguese locality that belongs to the parish of Pessegueiro, in the municipality of Pampilhosa da Serra. Its territory is bordered to the east by the Carvalho creek; to the west by the Pessegueiro creek; to the north by the Serra da Amarela and to the south by the Unhais River.

History
The origins of the locality are lost in time and its origins are unknown. The oldest data seems to indicate that it was founded perhaps in the 16th century. Its name originated in a derogatory sense, attributed to those who, having no dog or gun, hunted rabbits by hand in their burrows, being known as "carvoeiro" or "negroucho". In fact, around the town there are villages whose name derives directly from rabbit (Coelhal, Coelhosa). Carvoeiro was known as a place where hunting ferrets could be taught, so Carvoeiro, at least in this locality, was the land of a lapareiro, a person who caught rabbits by hand. There is no doubt that there were plenty of rabbits. The poverty of the soil and the lack of development in the area led the majority of the population to immigrate to Lisbon, Oporto or other European countries. Until the 1950s, the town remained practically stuck in time, despite being a corn-producing centre in the municipality of Pampilhosa da Serra, it lacked basic infrastructure like water systems, electricity, paved roads.

Economy
As has been the case for centuries, the main economic activity is subsistence farming.

Culture
Various cultural traditions have been maintained over the years in this place.

The main ones are:


 * Singing the Janeiras
 * The slaughter of the pig
 * The mast, on Christmas Eve a tree stump is burnt, giving rise to a bonfire where the villagers gather round to warm themselves.
 * Defoliation
 * Grape Harvest