Brianda Pereira

Monument to the Battle of Salga

Brianda Pereira (c. 1550 — c. 1620) was a woman born in the Azores Islands, Portugal, known throughout history for the Battle of Salga and her resistance against the Spanish occupation from Philip II of Spain .

Although there is no historical data to support its existence, Brianda Pereira's persona was mythologized by the 19th Century's Romantic Era and was heavily advertised as a heroine by Estado Novo's powerful propaganda machine to instill a strong Portuguese nationalist feeling in the Azoreans.

Brianda's persona became popular though a large number of folk theatrical plays, songs and Carnival dances, and she was adopted as a matron of various institutions.