For decades, the story of the Queimada was tied to pre-Roman tribes and Druidic rites. While it’s a fantastic story, the historical breadcrumbs just aren’t there.

Most of the key ingredients – sugar, coffee beans, lemons – were unavailable in ancient Galicia. Sugar and lemons arrived to Spain as early as the 7th century and coffee didn’t arrived to Spain until the 18th century. And even when they were available, they were too expensive to be widely available in small villages.

On the other hand, the distillation of alcoholic drinks (aguardente) from grape skins is an activity that has been well-documented in Galicia since ancient times, as has its burning for therapeutic purposes. This drink became popular among migrants who moved to Madrid, Barcelona, Buenos Aires or Mexico City in the 1950s and 1960s. They missed their homeland and sought ways to connect with their roots.

In 1955 a potter from Mondoñedo received an unusual request from a client who wanted a special container for burning “aguardente” at family gatherings, something that could withstand the fire and look good. This is when the traditional clay pot with legs, a large spoon and cups was born.

Twelve years later, in 1967, Mariano Marcos Abalo, an employee of Banco Pastor bank and member of the Bétrema poetry group recited some verses for the first time on a confiscated boat in the port of Vigo. They began like this: ‘Mouchos, coruxas, sapos e bruxas…’

He didn’t “discover” an ancient text. Instead, he created a piece of art that captured the mystical and superstitious spirit of rural Galicia perfectly. It felt ancient, and that’s what mattered. He would later recite it at a meeting with tourism representatives of Galicia and Portugal in 1974.

The Queimada became a symbol of Galician identity. It was a packaged, theatrical, and easily shareable way to express Galician identity. It took the stereotypes of Galicia—mystical, connected to the earth, a somewhat superstitious—and turned them into a powerful, positive ritual.

It is also a community event. As the flames burn, you share stories, you laugh, and you connect. The spell isn’t just about warding off witches; it’s about strengthening the bonds between you and your family and friends.

But more importantly, it fosters a sense of belonging: From the 20th-century migrants to today’s expats, this ritual is a direct, sensory link back to our hometowns.

Why you will love it

The spectacle: Let’s be honest, it’s just cool. Watching someone chant a spell while ladling blue flames in the dark is pure theater. It’s dramatic, spooky, and utterly mesmerising.

The social ice-breaker: The best way to experience a Queimada is with locals or a group of friends. It’s a ritual designed to bring people together. You will join the conxuro, share a drink, and immediately feel a sense of belonging.

The Fire: The Queimada is the perfect metaphor for Galicia itself: it appears ancient and mystical on the surface, yet it is deeply rooted in modern realities of family, community, and identity.

So if you find yourself in Galicia and someone offers you a cup from a smoking cauldron, accept it. You’re not just drinking a cocktail; you’re drinking a story. You’re taking part in a tradition born from a longing for home, and that is the most powerful magic of all.