Sopas: A brief history of Portuguese islanders, the Cape Cod town of Falmouth, and the Feast of the Holy Ghost - Paperback

by Lewis A. White (Author)

A brief history of Holy Ghost Societies in Falmouth, Massachusetts, focusing on the first group formed around 1900. Includes information on why Portuguese islanders from the first new world - Azores and Cape Verde - emigrated to America, how Quaker sympathizers settled near a Wampanoag village, and how Falmouth prospered for two centuries before American expansion spurred the Portuguese population of Falmouth to explode from zero to 30]% in two generations. Describes the eight century old religious folk tradition of the Holy Ghost, how three different groups celebrate it, concluding with a summary of Holy Ghost festas in the Azores today. Appendices include summary of political turmoil in 19th century Portugal, and recipes for traditional foods available at the festa.

Author Biography

Lew White is a fourth generation direct descendant of two of the twelve founding families of the Fresh Pond Holy Ghost Association. All of his ancestors are Azorean. He has been cooking Sopas for the annual festas since his parents passed away. Lew graduated form Northeastern University where he studied physics and mathematics, continuing with postgraduate studies in computer science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He resides in Falmouth and New Bedford, Massachusetts, with his wife Amelia Leontire.