“Tia Gigi, I want to put my feet in the water,” says my energetic nephew as he removes his shoes, simultaneously jumping up and running at full sprint towards the river.
“Nooooo….!” I yell, breaking into a run, hoping to catch him before he does something that’s potentially going to harm him.
I catch up to him moments before those dirty little feet (he’s 7, I don’t think 7-years olds’ feet are ever clean) touch the water.
The personage of the baker of Aljubarrota is curiously linked to the battle of the same name which took place on August 14, 1385.
Nations need symbols which they can hold on to in times of discord and which they can celebrate in time of peace. It is these symbols that help define the identity of a people.
The lady who was dubbed “The Baker of Aljubarrota” is such a symbol and her contribution to the battle is surrounded by myth and a healthy dose of mystery.
Mozambican-born Portuguese South African; reflecting on travel, writing, editing, life, family and change that has social impact; chief wide eyed in wanderer, wonderer and bottlewasher