Zé Povinho

Zé Povinho, originally developed as a comic caricature of the typical Portuguese, is now just there as a personalized national symbol. He is also known as João BITOR and generally a great lover of bodily pleasures.

Development and properties

Was mentioned for the first time the figure on June 12, 1875 in the fifth edition of A Lanterna Mágica, a satirical discussion about a proposed tax increase. Was shown the figure as a simple, poorer rural residents, which is grossly excluded from the authorities by exploiting the stupidity and the threat of state violence. This representation has been continuously developed in the future editions. Finally Zé Povinho was drawn as a person who resigned over corruption and injustice, buckling under the weight of taxes and therefore to the social issues of the time is ignorant. So said the publishing house owner Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro about the character: " O Zé Povinho olha para to lado e para o outro e fica .. como semper ... well mesma " ( " Zé Povinho looking from right to left and left ... as always ... the same " ).

Despite the intellectual simplicity Zé Povinho is considered a character full of contradictions. So he is indifferent, skeptical, unbelieving and solitary characterized as tolerant, loyal, hospitable, gentle, quiet, hardworking, apathetic. At the same time Zé Povinho also be rebellious, restless, motzig, angry, sensitive, compassionate, courageous, active and socially very active.