Fado, the Soul of A Nation. Debunking Its Origin(S)

Following a brief introduction to the peoples of pre-Roman-contact Iberia, and using as a springboard some of the myths on the origins of fado, in this work I demonstrate that indeed this kind of dance, music, and song is far older than what previously thought. Undeniably, fado traces its origins to pre-Roman Iberia, when different Indo-European and non-Indo-European peoples roamed Iberian lands trading with the tribes situated in parts of present-day Portugal and some areas along its border with Spain. Indeed, the Lusitanians performed a dance while singing at the sound of music. This musical, dance performance was the fado.