Bernadette Petrie asks, can our history as invaders teach us to love, and forgive?

In 2018, I was lucky enough to be part of a group staying in Villa Casa Fuzetta in Olhao, Portugal. As part of a food walking tour led by the amazing Joana from Eating Algarve, we learned about the history of Portuguese food as we munched our way along. Throughout the day, as Joana spoke, she repeated this line several times; “We were invaded, and we were invaders, and our food represents that now.”

Throughout the first century, the Spanish, Africans and Balkans invaded Portugal one by one, and as they did, they introduced their food ideas and traditions. Likewise, when the Portuguese invaded other countries, they brought their influences to those countries. What is now evident in both Portuguese food and the Portuguese attitude is the vast mixture of these elements.

Before you think I’ve switched to writing about food, let’s look at how this thought comes into play in this context; ‘We were invaded, and we were invaders. Love and forgive all parts of you.’

Later that evening chatting with Joana, I asked her about the acceptance of the invader as well as the invaded. She smiled and nodded in agreement, “Yes, maybe we have accepted all of our parts, and we are much more in balance now because of that.”

Having spent that time with Portuguese people, one of the things that stood out to me was their overall and balanced friendliness. Their acceptance of the invader and the invaded identity must undoubtedly be a contributing factor. Through their long history of evolution and political unrest, somehow, they have been able to forgive all parts and sides, resulting in living as balanced people. They are in tune with themselves, and a real sense of balance and emotional strength is evident. The energy of the people I met was very loving and friendly. I now felt sure I knew why.

I often hear about invasions in Irish and Scottish history but have yet to hear us describing ourselves as the invaders. However, based on the Spanish history timeline Joana referred to, I am sure Irish and Scottish people also need to own the role of the invader.

Maybe a key element to the healing and peace we all seek lies in accepting our national history over the centuries, our family and personal history too. By taking responsibility and owning all parts of the invader and the invaded, we can lean into loving and forgiving them equally.


 

You can buy Bernadette’s book from: NØRDEN 82 High St, North Berwick.