Agnes Meng

Before TV, stories of blood-sucking werewolves ran rampant in rocky Portuguese villages. Shepherds once gathered to tell tales about men and wolves. These days, only a handful remember or practice the oral tradition and ancient instincts to remain alert and fearful are being forgotten along with it.

Tourém is a frontier village on the border between Portugal and Spain. It has a reputation as a “smugglers’ nest”, with many villagers involved in the business, in the past. They smuggled goods due to shortages at the time. They risked their lives for a living.

Before TV, stories of blood-sucking werewolves ran rampant in rocky Portuguese villages. Shepherds once gathered to tell tales about men and wolves. These days, only a handful remember or practice the oral tradition and ancient instincts to remain alert and fearful are being forgotten along with it.

Tourém is a frontier village on the border between Portugal and Spain. It has a reputation as a “smugglers’ nest”, with many villagers involved in the business, in the past. They smuggled goods due to shortages at the time. They risked their lives for a living.