On 11 May 2026, at 9:30 am, the PhD examinations in Music of Master Lenice de Sousa Leite will take place, during which she will defend her dissertation entitled “Dynamics of Existence and Sustainability – Zés Pereiras”, under the supervision of Jorge Castro Ribeiro (supervisor) and Napoleão Ribeiro (co-supervisor).
PhD Committee
- Prof. Dr Manuel António Coimbra Rodrigues da Silva (LAQV REQUIMTE, UA)
- Prof. Dr Maria de Lourdes Macena de Souza (IFCE)
- Prof. Dr Susana Bela Soares Sardo (INET-md, UA)
- Prof. Dr Jorge Castro Ribeiro, orientador (INET-md, UA)
- Prof. Dr Rui Manuel Pereira da Silva Bessa (IPP)
- Affiliated Researcher Lucas André Wink (Uporto)
Dynamics of Existence and Sustainability – Zés Pereiras
This thesis, scientifically framed within ethnomusicology, investigates the sociocultural dynamics of the Zés P’reiras, traditional Portuguese musical groups, with the aim of contributing to their sustainability as living cultural practices. The research starts from the understanding that the continuity of these groups is deeply rooted in affective relationships, community ties, and collective memories – beyond the mere technical preservation of musical instruments. The methodological approach adopted was qualitative, ethnographic, and participatory, based on principles of collaborative research and inspired by Wilhelm Dilthey’s “science of the spirit,” which values lived experiences and the subjectivities of the actors involved. Fieldwork included observation, interviews, and shared experiences with the groups, revealing the centrality of symbolic and relational dimensions in their musical practices. As a theoretical contribution, the thesis proposes the concept of affective sustainability – a category that broadens the discourse on cultural heritage by including emotions, identity, and community interaction as essential elements for the survival of traditions. The results indicate that the Zés P’reiras function as collective sonic bodies, whose vitality depends on the articulation of shared repertoires, feelings of belonging, and culturally visible actions. The research also offers practical contributions to public policies, cultural initiatives, and valorization strategies that recognize these groups as active agents of their traditions.
Keywords
Ethnomusicology; Zés P’reiras; Intangible cultural heritage; Affective sustainability; Nacionais de Fragoso; Amigos de Galegos; Associação Cultural Tirsense.