St. Martin's Portuguese Traditions

In Portugal, St. Martin’s Day is celebrated on November 11th.
It remains popular today, especially among the rural population. St. Martin’s Day celebrates the end of the agrarian year and the beginning of the winter period.
It’s celebrated everywhere all over Portugal. Portuguese people call this day Feast of “São Martinho” or “Magusto de São Martinho”, celebrating the day by eating roasted chestnuts, drinking the new red wine, and killing a pig.
The “Magusto” begins in the afternoon. In many areas of the country, people (family and friends) gather around a large fire to cook the chestnuts, do very funny activities with the children and traditional games and they usually go for a long walk.
Everybody celebrates this Day even if only to eat one roast chestnut and drink one small glass of "Jeropiga", or "Água-pé".
Some people also paint their faces with the coal used to grill the chestnuts.