In Cape Verde music is a way of life, an enduring passion.
Cape Verde’s passion for music is evident as soon as you spend time in any of the towns. It spills out of every bar and accompanies many an evening meal.
One of Cape Verde’s greatest singers, the extraordinary Césaria Évoria, was born in Mindelo on the island of Sao Vicent. The airport is named after her, so you’re reminded of her legacy as soon as you land on the island. Sao Vicente is still one of the best islands to visit if you want to enjoy the cultural highlights of Cape Verde. The wonderful sounds that stem from Portuguese and African influences spill out onto the streets.
Mornas – a Cape Verdean Music Genre
Even if you have never heard of Cesario, you probably recognise her song Sodade. She sang with so much passion, pain, and longing and became popular for singing mornas (a bit like the fados in Portugal). Mornas are a music genre particular to Cape Verde. These are sung in Creole and are accompanied by a guitar or cavaquinho, a small lute like string instrument. Cesario was affectionately known as the ‘barefoot diva’ because she always performed without shoes.
Cape Verdean influences in popular music.
Even though the song Sodade describes the longing and nostalgia experienced by Cape Verdean emigrants, those who moved abroad, maintained their love for Cape Verde music. Remember the R&B band Tavares, five Cape Verdean/American brothers who had a hit with Heaven must be missing Angel in the seventies? Or the less well-known but equally popular Cape Verdean/Dutch hip hop group Broederliefde,who returned to Mindelo to shoot their video for their song Hoe je Bent.
How a Ghost ship bought cosmic sound to Cape Verde
But it’s not all about mornas. An incredible story appeared in the guardian a few years ago, about a shipload of Korg and Moog synthesizers, and a load of keyboards, miraculously appearing on the island of Sao Nicolau in 1968. It seems that a ship destined for Rio de Janeiro got washed up on the shores of Sao Nicolau Island in Cape Verde. No crew were on board and it was found to contain cutting edge electrical instruments. Amilcar Cabral, a highly celebrated anti-colonial leader at the time, commanded that these instruments be distributed amongst the schools of Cape Verde, so they could be put to good use. A new sound was born: the Cosmic sound of Cape Verde.
Guitar making workshops in Mindelo
If music is also a passion of yours, then you should definitely visit Mindelo. During the day, we can take you to a guitar making workshop. In the evening, head for the Livraria Nho Djungo (a Buena Vista style social club) where musicians of all ages perform live.
If this sounds like your kind of holiday experience, have a look at our Cape Verde Food, Music and Cultural Holiday.
If you’re looking for an authentic holiday experience in Cape Verde, talk to one of our team, who will offer advice based on their first-hand experiences: