Ra-Ro Journal

Rare Stories

Stories, news and behind the scenes of Portuguese craft. What’s happening in the workshops, at the fairs and at Ra-Ro.

Assador de castanhas em barro negro de Gondar desmontado, pronto para o magusto

assador de castanhas27.09.2026

Magusto at home: how to roast chestnuts in a clay chestnut roaster

Portugal's Magusto and St. Martin's Day on 11 November, explained: the legend of the cloak, água-pé and jeropiga, and how to roast chestnuts at home in a black clay chestnut roaster from Gondar, plus how to care for it.

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Assador de Castanhas em barro negro de Gondar, por César Teixeira

barro negro19.09.2026

Black Clay Chestnut Roaster: autumn in Gondar

A black clay chestnut roaster, fired by soenga in Gondar by César Teixeira and his son João, among the last to master this technique.

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Vinagreira de Barro Negro de Gondar, de César Teixeira - Ra-Ro

barro negro08.09.2026

Black Clay Cruet: the smoke that keeps an art of Gondar alive

The black clay cruet from Gondar is born from the soenga, an open-air firing that since the 17th century has given the clay its colour. Meet César and João Teixeira.

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