Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde  people, food and festivals 

Arts and Crafts

Above all, pottery and weaving products are manufactured on Cape Verde. But you can also find paintings (by Manuel Figueira, Barros-Gizzi and Maria-Luisa Queirós, for example), crocheted blankets, which is a tradition from Portugal, woodworking, batik, embroidery and woven baskets (balai). The woven tapestries in the traditional colours of white, indigo blue and black are also very common. The panos, square cloths that are used as pieces of clothing, are dyed in indigo blue. Above all, the art of pottery can be found on Maio, Santiago, Sal Boa Vista and São Vicente. Large water containers (potes), sculptures and vases are made here.

Festivals

In addition to carnival (cf. Carnival), there are many other celebrations on Cape Verde. The Cape Verdeans like to have very exuberant celebrations with beautiful clothing, large quantities of good food, many friends and family and, of course, plenty of music, singing and dancing. Above all, the city or island festivals are celebrated on the respective name day of the saint for which it was named. Then there is a traditional procession in honour of the patron saint, people celebrate on the city plazas with stalls, games of chance and music – all of the residents from neighbouring islands are obviously invited and come in large numbers. Of course, the classic festivals such as Christmas, Easter or New Year are also on the calendar of festivals. Private celebrations are birthdays, weddings, baptisms and communions - the classic festivals that are also familiar in Europe. However, there is a small difference here: The Cape Verdeans really enjoy combining the parties of several families and often celebrate for days on end. For example, a number of children are baptised at the same time and the entire city is often on the “invitation list.“ But unknown guests are also welcome and encouraged to participate

An independence movement led by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau (another former Portuguese colony) and Cape Verde (PAIGC) was founded in 1956. Following the 1974 coup in Portugal, after which Portugal began abandoning its colonial empire, the islands became independent (July 5, 1975).

What race are people from Cape Verde?

As a result, Cape Verdeans are mulattoes (mestiços in Portuguese), who have mixed black and white origins. European ancestors also include Spanish, Italian and French seamen who were granted land by the Portuguese Empire, followed by Portuguesesettlers, exiles, and Portuguese Jews who were victims of the Inquisition.