The Legend of the Xicas – The Chickens that Guard the Memory of Vila de Rei
The Legend of the Xicas – The Chickens that Guard the Memory of Vila de Rei .
In Vila de Rei, in the heart of Central Portugal, there are stories that don't just live in books. They live in the pine forests, in the villages, in the hands that work the land, and in the memories of those born here. One of these stories is that of the Xicas – the chickens that, long before they were made of cloth, were the pride and livelihood of the homes in the Pinhal Interior region.
Today, at Tipicaria, this legend takes on a new form in handmade cloth chickens. But to understand where the Xicas come from, we have to go back many, many years.
1. The Lands of the Farmer King
In ancient times, these mountains were part of the lands of King Dinis , the Farmer King – the same king who ordered the planting of the Leiria Pine Forest and who believed that Portugal could only grow if its land flourished first.
The Pinhal Interior region was harsh and demanding: steep hills, rocky paths, the smell of resin, heavy tree trunks, and little good land for grain. Without large wheat fields, it was necessary to find other ways to ensure food on the table.
The answer was right there, running across the yard.
2. The true guardians of the house
The chickens were the heart of the family economy. They laid eggs every day, enlivened the threshing floor, and guaranteed food even when winter was harsh. The goats cleared the undergrowth in the pine forest, the pigs were kept for the pantry… but the chickens were the true treasure of the house.
There were so many of them, so very many, that even today Vila de Rei is a major egg producer in Portugal. Chickens were part of the landscape, the routine, and the identity of the land.
3. The English Templar who changed his name
Legend has it that, on a hot summer afternoon, a man arrived in Vila de Rei. An English Templar, fleeing persecution in England and seeking refuge with King Dinis, weary from days of travel through the mountains. When he entered the village and looked at the threshing floor, he was astonished: dozens of chickens were running to and fro, proud and audacious, as if they owned the place.
Surprised, he exclaimed loudly:
"Chickens! So many chickens!"
The people, who did not understand English, looked at each other and tried to repeat the sound, in the Portuguese way:
"Xiquens?... Xicas?"
And so it remained. What was once chickens became Xicas – a short, simple, and charming name, perfect for naming the chickens of the land.
4. Symbol of abundance, joy, and work.
Over time, the Xicas ceased to be just chickens. They became a symbol of abundance, joy, and honest work . They represented the simple but dignified life of families in the Pinhal Interior region – people who didn't have much, but did a lot with what they had.
They say that each Xica carries with it a little bit of the adventure of the English Templar, the strength of the mountains, and the generous spirit of old houses. They are small, but they carry a great history.
5. The Xicas are reborn in the Tipicaria
Today, at Tipicaria, the Xicas return in the form of handcrafted cloth chickens , made slowly, one by one. Each fabric is chosen with care, each stitch is hand-sewn, and each Xica takes on its own character – no two are alike.
They are handcrafted pieces, but they are also more than that: they are memory keepsakes . They remind us of where we came from, the value of manual labor, and grounding.
When Xica goes home, she takes a little piece of Vila de Rei with her, its history and its people.
6. From our territories to your home.
At Tipicaria, we believe that handicrafts are a way of telling stories. Each Xica is a character in this larger story: that of our territory, of the traditions we don't want to lose, and of the identity we want to honor.
The Xicas are small, bold, and unforgettable. Just like Vila de Rei.
From our territories.
Want to meet the Xicas in person?
If this legend touched you, let a Xica keep you company at home. Each one is unique, handmade, and full of soul.