Fado
Fado's eclectic musical roots can be traced to Brazilian, central African, and Arabic influences, but it is distinctly European with its use of harmony, a simple meter, and minimal percussion, if any is present at all. Two types of fado are commonly heard in Portugal: Coimbra fado and Lisboa fado, named for the cities that are considered to have spawned these traditions. The former is likely the older of the two traditions, while the latter is more popular with international audiences. By the 1830s, this musical style was known as fado, meaning “destiny” or “fate.”