Born in Ladeira do Monte Seco, in the parish of São Sebastião – Loulé, Jorge Santos grew up surrounded by handicrafts. At the age of 8, when she left school, she would go through the hills to pick palm that she gave to her mother, a contract artisan, who created utilitarian pieces such as carrycots and doormats with them.
From an early age he learned to make baracinha, the essential cord for sewing the strips of contract, dedicating hours to carefully braiding the sheets next to his mother.
At the age of 18, he left for France, where he worked in construction, but his artisanal roots never ceased to accompany him. Already back in Portugal, it was when he saw his wife, the artisan Margarida Cortez, resume the enterprise that Mr. Jorge also returned to this practice, spontaneously helping in the making of the baracinha — just as he did in childhood.
Affectionately known as the “Master of Baracinha”, Jorge Santos preserves a rare traditional knowledge, which he transmits with dedication and simplicity.
Affectionately known as the “Master of Baracinha”, Jorge Santos preserves a rare traditional knowledge, which he transmits with dedication and simplicity. Currently, she is proud to be part of the network of artisans at Casa da Empreita , where she values above all conviviality, the sharing of knowledge and the continuity of a cultural heritage that is part of her life story.
