In the image we can see Hawaiian women playing “Braguinha” (the smallest cordophone with 4 strings) and “Rajão” (5 strings) (photo from 1890). These instruments were taken to those islands in the Pacific Ocean through Madeiran emigrants, hired to work in the sugar cane plantations. A special trip, made on April 23, 1879 from Funchal, including three Madeiran Masters: Manuel Nunes, Augusto Dias and José Espírito Santo and two performers: João Fernandes and Luís Correia. All of these masters opened an instrument workshop in Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii, with a great demand for their musical instruments. According to the oral and historical tradition of Hawaii, it was Manuel Nunes who invented a new instrument that would remain until today known as UKULELE. This resulted from the fusion of the little “Braguinha's” body with the tuning of open strings from “Rajão” (the first four strings). King Kalãkaua of Hawaii and his sister Princess LiliuoKalani were great enthusiasts of Madeiran cordophones, both for the music and the construction process. Of the many serenades held at the Palace, there is a particular highlight for the musician João Fernandes, regarded as an excellent player.

Credits: 600 Years of Madeira and Porto Santo