Art and culture

A Fala

Some places in the north of Extremadura still retain their own language.

Come to Extremadura
A Fala

A symbol of the local identity

Some places in the north of Extremadura still retain their own language.

A fala is the original language of the inhabitants of San Martín de Trevejo, Eljas and Valverde del Fresno, in the Jálama valley (Val de Xálima), province of Cáceres. It is also known as mañegu or chapurreao . As you stroll around the streets of these villages, don't be surprised if you hear the local people speaking Fala, as they have been doing so since the 11th century AD. You will even see the street signs written in both Fala and Spanish.

The language is thought to be based on medieval Galician-Portuguese and is without doubt a symbol of the identity of these towns in the north of Extremadura.

As a result, the local people feel it should be kept alive as a unifying symbol of their culture, history and heritage. And it has been declared an asset of cultural interest in the intangible asset category, such is its importance.