Aníbal Teixeira, 79 years old, is known as the "man of the bass drums" of the Romaria d'Agonia in Viana do Castelo. He has been part of the Festivities Committee for 16 years, but his connection to the romaria is older and already extends to his family. His granddaughter Mariana, 18 years old, parades in the Mordomia after years of processions that began when she was four years old. His grandson Pedro, 27 years old, has been returning from Lisbon for a decade to help with organization, and his grandson Rodrigo, 15 years old, plays bass drum in the Deocriste group.
Aníbal was born on Rua Nova de São Bento in Santa Maria Maior, and worked for decades as a mechanic at the former Portucel, also having been a union leader. In 1973, a colleague convinced him to take the referee course, starting a second career that took him to the pitches of district championships. He finished refereeing at 45, but remembers a memorable match between Cerveira and Limianos, which ended with a pitch invasion after a penalty was awarded.
Aníbal's work in organizing the bass drums, marching bands, gigantones and cabeçudos begins six months before the festival. In February he starts the contacts and contracts with the groups, managing a limited budget and planning everything analogically, "with a ballpoint pen, on paper". Aníbal considers the bass drums as "the soul of the festival", comparing them to a magnet that attracts the public. He advocates for better economic conditions for the players, who carry heavy instruments, walk long hours and face heat and fatigue.
At 79, Aníbal ensures he will continue while he has "little legs and a little head", but acknowledges there will
