HUMMANA

Cristina's Journey

Cristina Vieira is a Portuguese musician from Madeira. She grew up in the Island’s unique cultural landscape with additional influences from Northern Africa and Northern Europe, immersed in traditions that, nowadays, are quickly disappearing. The music of Madeira is simple and wise. It expresses not only the pillars of life such as love, grief and joy, but also the working rhythm of labor that forged the lives of the islanders.

Inception

“HUMMANA” is a word born from the harmonious fusion of two profound ideas: ‘Hummus’ and ‘Humana’. Inspired by the fertile and nourishing soil that is hummus, the name reflects the essence of the earth that sustains and nourishes us. Just as hummus is the foundation of life, HUMMANA celebrates the feminine and human nature, the intrinsic connection between humans and the earth.

This name represents the perfect union between the strength of nature and the essence of humanity, highlighting the beauty and importance of living in harmony with our environment. HUMMANA is a tribute to life, femininity, music, memories, human connection and our relationship with Mother Earth. A word that symbolizes growth, nourishment, and the pure essence of being human in tune with the earth.

Color Palette

Neo-Folk, Tribal, Atmospheric.

Promotional photos by Micas Fernandes

Humanity is found upon memories. It is impossible to set it apart from its language, culture, mannerisms, traditions, dances and sounds. Even if in different geographies, colors, or soreness, being Human is what makes us being… one.

Produced by Nuno Filipe, TRIBO is an Ode to past memories and its voyage through time.

Video Gallery

Featured Articles

“Un plongeon dans un océan de poésie musicale avec Hummana.”

Indiechroniquedaily, 2022

“The moment this album comes on, the kind of atmosphere it creates is not one from the world of today at all. The whole air changes from the modern, industrial world, to that of purity. I say this in the best possible sense– that Tribo is an experience I have yet few words to describe. Starting off extremely strongly with “Bailinho”, the first track from the album, the minimal instrumentation and the intimacy that Hummana manage to create with the vocals, are truly something mesmerizing. There are elements of progressive music shining all over the track, with the occasional electronic element keeping one sanely within their chair, unless a magic spell were to waft them away somewhere they wouldn’t be able to come back from, if you can excuse the hyperbole.”

Mohit Bagur, Sinusoidal Music, 2022

“The cultural fabric of traditional works has spiritual presence, as if conceived by metaphysical inference, the melodic intelligence of the cosmos, born eternal through the enlightened interpreters who project like specters. HUMMANA conjures their ghosts with haunting appeal, offering these dark ballads with ethereal inspiration. (…) There’s a sci fi appeal in the aura of Dune, as if we’ve intercepted the radio from some other dimension. The singer has the ability to deliver these long vocal swells effortlessly. She transforms like an inspired siren, engulfed with the magic of history and divine strength. Her powers are majestic, meant for the court of ancient Kings and Pharaohs.”

The Wild is Calling (music blog), 2022

“From the increasing depth of a finely-crafted, melodic and hypnotic BAILINHO, the album’s post-six-minute opener naturally lures its audience in with exotic, dreamy vocals, dramatic rhythms, and unrelenting layers of ambient strings, synths and additional voices, for a sound that’s all at once organic and other-worldly. Progressively energising, the music grows from strength to strength to strength. What begins as soothing, rises through to intensely uplifting, near-euphoric even. The pop-rock peak of the opener is a fine example of the craftsmanship at the heart of each composition, and despite its conceptual origins, the music emotively connects and aptly prompts the mind to wander.”

Rebecca Cullen, Stereo Stickman, 2022

“Searching for an updated approach to popular poetry and the traditional Madeiran Songbook while never losing its real authenticity, Cristina Vieira and Hummana shall have you wondering why music can’t be as pure as this all the time. Showing so much pride for being a part of a community that is so special, there is an ear-warming effort to appreciate for its fine artistry.

Vocally outstanding and with an ensemble of the highest quality musicians possible, this is a song that shall find you feeling so replenished. CARGA (Burden) from elegant Madeira Island-born singer-songwriter Hummana is one of the most illuminating songs of the year so far. With important cultural implications attached, this is an immense anthem that shows us all that if you are doing things for the right reason, it usually works out for the best. Great music heals after all.”

Llewelyn Screen, A&R Factory, 2022

“Being an islander is a very strong identity mark, which incites a sense of belonging. Hummana went to its core and in an exultation of the memory, the Madeiran feeling and the uniqueness of the sound of their “cordofones” (Rajão and Viola de Arame), they present a true musical revolution. “Tribo” is a call to open new horizons, where the dichotomy tradition / innovation dissipates in a unique immersive experience, raising what is regional to a world-class level. For me, this is the new “Pearl of the Atlantic”!”

Marco Gonçalves, Lápis-lazúli Photography, 2022.

“The melodies are a mix of beautiful, slow, and soft sounds with dark tones. The genuineness in this album is how she mastered all these different sounds to create a unique listening experience that feels old and new at the same time.”

Nadine Elwan, Sistra, 2022.

“An album full of melodies and songs where tradition is dressed with new sounds that elevate our collective memory. In Tribo we find the voice and the music of Cristina Vieira involved in unique sounds, inspired by the roots, the people and the land. A new sound approach, where musical experimentalism, associated with tradition, is a contribution to the musical memory of her Tribo, the ancestral sounds of her people. Listen and let yourself be involved in the spirit of this Tribo.”

Celina Pereira, Broadcaster and Cultural Promoter, 2022.

“Cristina Vieira exudes her talent and hypnotizing vocals that will lead the listener in an unforgettable sound trip, that just listening to it is already possible to feel alive, to smell the nature, to enter in trance and meditation to have a complete experience. (…) creating a musical exoticism that I had only seen with Dead Can Dance. Hummana is one of the best discoveries, an exceptional and unique work that I will keep in the playlist.”

Jessica Mar, Headbangers News, 2022