The Lusosphere: Cape Verde



The caravel has left Lisbon to discover new land...the Infante Henrique, Duke of Viseu, bears the ambition of expanding the Portuguese Kingdom throughout the seas…
1456: 12 uninhabited islands are discovered (5 by the Italian Antonio da Noli and 7 by the Portuguese Diogo Gomes and Diogo Afonso – all working for the Portuguese throne). This archipelago was baptized “Cape Verde” (formed by the following Islands: Brava, Fogo, Santiago, Maio, Boa Vista, São Nicolau, São Vicente, Santo Antão, Santa Luzia, Ilhéu Branco e Ilhéu Grande).



In the following centuries, the strategic location of Cape Verde, contributed immensely not only to its economic development (since it supplied ships with goods and all slaves going to Vera Cruz, the Caribbean and south of the United States were fetched here); but also to Brazil’s colonisation process and economic history (several animal and plant species introduced in the new colony had come from the archipelago).

1650: Cape Verde becomes the administrator of the Portuguese territory of Guinea.

1817: The opening of the first public primary school, in Praia city (Santiago Island).

1831-1833: Period of hunger, resulting in the death of thousands of people. International help arrived from the United States, since Portugal was going through a civil war (1828-1834).

1838: The British install, in Mindelo (São Vicente Island), a coal deposit (due to steam boats). New periods of hunger, that provoked a mass emigration of Cape Verdeans.

1876: Abolition of the slave trade. The interest for the islands decreased until the 20th century, after the WWII.

Cape Verde achieved its independence in the 5th of July, 1975 (after the Portuguese revolution of 1974).

The majority of Cape Verdeans is mulatto (since they are a mix of the descendants of slaves and their Portuguese masters). 

The language spoken in this country is the crioulo of Portuguese lexical basis (since it preserved some lexical, phonological and semantic roots of the Portuguese spoken during the 16th and 17th centuries).

The traditional music of the archipelago stems from European musical elements (mainly from Portugal); and its genres are: batuque, koladera, funáná, morna (which is similar to fado) and tabanca.

We shall start by funáná: the video below introduces you to Gilyto, singing "Larga", where he encourages us never to quit on our ambitions, to believe in ourselves and to have faith in God (the chorus "Cá bu larga" = don't quit). I must warn you that the rhythm of this song is contagious...so have fun!



Next Port: Guinea-Bissau

Comments

  1. Max,
    Contagious is an understatement. That was 5 minutes of pure fun. I wanted to get up and dance.

    That was also a very rich and revealing history of Cape Verde.

    Thanks for bot an informative and uplifting post. I think I shall be playing Larga quite frequently.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey Mel :D!

    "Contagious is an understatement. That was 5 minutes of pure fun. I wanted to get up and dance."

    LOL I know what you mean...every time I listen to it I DO get up and dance! I love funáná!

    "That was also a very rich and revealing history of Cape Verde."

    Cape Verde has an interesting history indeed...did you know that they were the only African country that, after the independence, rejected the marxist ideology at the end of 5 years (by 1980)? That is propbably why they are one of the most African developed countries...

    "Thanks for bot an informative and uplifting post. I think I shall be playing Larga quite frequently."

    You are welcome, darling *bowing*! LOL LOL I hear you & have fun!! :D

    Mel, thanks a million for this awesome comment! I am having fun picturing you dancing.... ;)!

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  3. Max,
    Just look at the bottom of SlogBite's home page and then take away the rhythm and dress me in jeans and tee shirt, add a few pounds and that pretty will describes me.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Olá Max,

    Como vai?

    I am stretching my tongue today. I want to officially welcome you to a new year. Welcome. And what a rousing start. I can hear the boat engines racing, ready to set voyage.

    This is a pleasant history lesson delivered by the mighty Max. Every time I read something beautifully executed like this, I can't help but to think back to my atrocious history teachers. There should be a law against teachers without passion.

    I like all the names of the islands and I think it sounds so cool to be called a Cape Verdean. In Los Angeles, we are called Angelenos, but Cape Verdean rocks, like the Caped crusader. It also sounds like it could be a great designer's name.

    I think the reason the U.S came to their rescue was to save the music. Thank God for YouTube. Was the guy with the hat, beard and glasses Sir Mix-A-Lot before he sang, Baby Got Back? Maybe he was a part of Run DMC?

    Anyway, it was enjoyable. Unlike Mel, I danced in my chair, even with a computer on my lap.

    Thank you for sharing the treasures of Portugal.

    Btw, I like your crispy new header. It is artistically striking and aesthetically pleasing. Did our friend LS make that for you?

    Cá bu larga Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mel/Max,

    Mel,
    You don't ever have to wait to dance. Just get up. You can even do it in your car - at your desk - in the park - in the market. Trader Joe's plays great music between 7 and 9 pm. and often people dance in the aisles.

    Max, Trader Joe's is a specialty market that sells natural food or unusual food items at great prices.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Max/Mel,
    I am picturing Mel dancing too. He moves pretty well. Shake it Mel. Shake it like a salt shaker.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mel,

    LOL oh, so you put on some weight, eh? Nevermind...just keep dancing :D!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Olá Lady A :D!

    "Como vai?"

    Bem, e tu?

    "I am stretching my tongue today. I want to officially welcome you to a new year. Welcome. And what a rousing start. I can hear the boat engines racing, ready to set voyage."

    Oooh, thank you....*hug*! Welcome to 2009, Alexys *bowing*!
    LOL...yes, and we are on it!

    "This is a pleasant history lesson delivered by the mighty Max. Every time I read something beautifully executed like this, I can't help but to think back to my atrocious history teachers. There should be a law against teachers without passion."

    lol thanks, girl *High Five*! LOL I am laughing...but to tell you the truth I agree with you: there should be a law against passionless teachers...they can discourage pupils *nodding*!

    "I like all the names of the islands and I think it sounds so cool to be called a Cape Verdean. In Los Angeles, we are called Angelenos, but Cape Verdean rocks, like the Caped crusader. It also sounds like it could be a great designer's name."

    Indeed...the islands do have beautiful names. Angelenos, with Spanish accent? It sounds beautiful!!
    LOL LOL I had never thought of it "designer's name"...

    "I think the reason the U.S came to their rescue was to save the music. Thank God for YouTube. Was the guy with the hat, beard and glasses Sir Mix-A-Lot before he sang, Baby Got Back? Maybe he was a part of Run DMC?"

    You might be right!! Amen, sista!!
    ROFL...his name is Heavy-H...perhaps he was a fan of Run DMC! Or it is quite possible that he lives in the US...did you know that the US (Boston to be more precise) has the largest Cape Verdean community in the world (250,000 immigrants)? We (Portugal) have the second largest - 100,000.

    "Anyway, it was enjoyable. Unlike Mel, I danced in my chair, even with a computer on my lap."

    I am glad you liked it, girl :D! It's all good too lol...as long as one let's that body shake!!

    "Thank you for sharing the treasures of Portugal."

    You are most welcome, darling...sharing the treasures of Portugal is sharing a bit of me too :)!

    "Btw, I like your crispy new header. It is artistically striking and aesthetically pleasing. Did our friend LS make that for you?"

    Why, thank you, my darling *bowing*! LOL no, LS did not make this one for me...I took a Rembrandt painting and work it a bit...

    Lady A, thank you so much for your superb and encouraging comment...what would I do without you, my sista? :D

    Cá bu larga Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  9. Alexys/Mel,

    "You don't ever have to wait to dance. Just get up. You can even do it in your car - at your desk - in the park - in the market. Trader Joe's plays great music between 7 and 9 pm. and often people dance in the aisles."

    LOL LOL for real? People dance in the aisles? Are you sure you are not just encouraging Mel to dance (and do the SlogBite dance) in public?

    "Max, Trader Joe's is a specialty market that sells natural food or unusual food items at great prices."

    Mmmm...it sounds like a delicious place to go!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Alexys/Mel,

    "I am picturing Mel dancing too. He moves pretty well. Shake it Mel. Shake it like a salt shaker."

    ROFL....ROFL....ROFL....ROFL...."shake it like a salt shaker" ROFL ROFL....girl, you kill me!!!
    Hmmm...Hmmmm...Hmmm...you are right: this boy moves well! Go Mel! Go Mel! Go Mel!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Olá Max,

    "...there should be a law against passionless teachers...they can discourage pupils..."

    Exactly.

    "Angelenos, with Spanish accent? It sounds beautiful!!"

    Yes, with a heavy Spanish accent. Los Angeles, (Spanish for The Angels and sometimes called the City of Angels) was originally called El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula (the Town of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels of Porciuncula), but was later shortened to just Los Angeles. The Porciuncula Chapel near Assisi, Italy, was the center of the Franciscan Order.


    "ROFL...his name is Heavy-H..."

    Oh, how original. I guess Heavy D was already taken and there were 25 more letters available.

    "...did you know that the US (Boston to be more precise) has the largest Cape Verdean community in the world (250,000 immigrants)? We (Portugal) have the second largest - 100,000."

    Really. I didn't know, but now I do thanks to you.

    "You are most welcome, darling...sharing the treasures of Portugal is sharing a bit of me too :)!"

    You're right. We already know you're a treasure.

    "I took a Rembrandt painting and work it a bit..."

    Nice work.

    "...what would I do without you, my sista? :D"

    Aw shucks, now I just might blush. Did you know that when we blush, the lining of our stomachs blush too. (I saw that on a trivia site.)

    Blushing Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Max/Mel,

    "LOL LOL for real? People dance in the aisles? Are you sure you are not just encouraging Mel to dance (and do the SlogBite dance) in public?"

    I kid you not. I would love to see Mel do the SlogBite in public. Go Mel, it's your birthday.....

    "Mmmm...it sounds like a delicious place to go!!"

    You would love it. They even have free full sized samples (meals) so you can try it before you buy it. It's a unique experience.

    SlogBite Dance Cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Olá Alexys,

    "Yes, with a heavy Spanish accent. Los Angeles, (Spanish for The Angels and sometimes called the City of Angels) was originally called El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula (the Town of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels of Porciuncula), but was later shortened to just Los Angeles. The Porciuncula Chapel near Assisi, Italy, was the center of the Franciscan Order."

    Girl, that was one huge name for a city LOL! I didn't know that the Porciuncula Chapel was the centre of the Franciscan order...but I bet my mom knows...

    "Oh, how original. I guess Heavy D was already taken and there were 25 more letters available."

    LOL LOL LOL you know? When I first saw him on TV I thought exactly the same LOL *nodding*....

    "Really. I didn't know, but now I do thanks to you."

    Yes. lol I live to serve, Milady A *bowing*!

    "You're right. We already know you're a treasure."

    LOL you...are...dangerous... ;)!

    "Nice work."

    Thank you :D!

    "Aw shucks, now I just might blush. Did you know that when we blush, the lining of our stomachs blush too. (I saw that on a trivia site.)"

    No, I didn't know that at all! I am trying to imagine that...wow...now, we can say "please be careful...you will make my stomach lining blush!" LOL....*nodding*

    Stomach lining blushing Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  14. Alexys/Mel,

    "I kid you not. I would love to see Mel do the SlogBite in public. Go Mel, it's your birthday....."

    Wow...it must be lots of fun! LOL LOL LOL I bet you would lol! Mel is gone alright...poor thing, SlogBite is giving him some extra-work.

    "You would love it. They even have free full sized samples (meals) so you can try it before you buy it. It's a unique experience."

    Free full sized samples? Now that is what I call customer service! I love that!! I must visit it one day!

    Doing the SlogBite Dance Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Hapi,

    I am glad you found it interesting *bowing*!
    Why, thank you...I will return the gesture by linking you as well (you will find your link on the "Other blogs I visit" box on my sidebar on the right) :D!

    Thank you so much for having dropped by :D!

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  16. Max I love history, that is history that is properly taught and interesting, thank you for doing this. A little of the old with a little of the new, your video has still got me tapping my foot as I'm typing,lol.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Max & Alexys,

    My new years resolution forbids me from dancing in public. Let's just leave it at that. I'll let my avatar to the dancing for me.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Max,

    "Girl, that was one huge name for a city LOL! I didn't know that the Porciuncula Chapel was the centre of the Franciscan order...but I bet my mom knows..."

    It IS. I am so glad that I don't have to write all of it in the address - then I would move to Oz, Kentucky, not only because it is one of the cities with the shortest names but because I would be living in Oz.

    I think your mom knows. She is a fount of knowledge. Like mother, like daughter.

    "No, I didn't know that at all! I am trying to imagine that...wow...now, we can say "please be careful...you will make my stomach lining blush!" LOL....*nodding*"

    ROFL.

    Blushing For Love Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hey Bob :D!

    "Max I love history, that is history that is properly taught and interesting, thank you for doing this."

    Ooh, Lord of the Astropics...you are most welcome *bowing*! History should be shared in an interesting way indeed...

    "A little of the old with a little of the new, your video has still got me tapping my foot as I'm typing,lol."

    lol It is a great song! And addictive too!

    Bob, thank you so much for your encouraging comment :D! And keep on dancing!

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  20. Mel/Alexys,

    "My new years resolution forbids me from dancing in public. Let's just leave it at that. I'll let my avatar to the dancing for me."

    LOL LOL LOL oooooh nooooo, Mel! I love watching your avatar dancing, but...I am curious to see you shake it like a salt shaker LOL...
    But I respect a new years resolution...it's all good!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Lady A,

    "It IS. I am so glad that I don't have to write all of it in the address - then I would move to Oz, Kentucky, not only because it is one of the cities with the shortest names but because I would be living in Oz."

    ROFL...ROFL...Oz...then you would be neighbours with Dorothy!! Oh Dorothy!!!

    "I think your mom knows. She is a fount of knowledge. Like mother, like daughter."

    She does know a thing or two...
    LOL Alexys...girl, you do want to make my stomach lining blush...not fair! LOL

    "ROFL."

    LOL...

    Redden out of love Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi Max! Here's some more food for thought. It has been claimed that a Portuguese explorer, Christopher de Mendonca, discovered Australia in 1522, centuries before Captain Cook!

    Think about it, I'd be able to sing "Larga" without an Aussie accent and possibly be related to you if Portugal had claimed the land I now stand on.

    Take Care,
    Peter

    ReplyDelete
  23. MAX:

    Absolutely fantastic post. A great history lesson for me. And, I loved the video. Very instructive. Good. job. I always enjoy a little history.

    Happy trails.

    ReplyDelete
  24. THANKS for the history lesson again, Max! :-)))) That song has really a fast pace...I think I'm going to burn SO MANY calories if I try to dance according to the rhythm HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE...

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hey Max wanna go dancing girl. This is so cool. I love that kind of music. Excellent post, refreshing, and 'happy'. Anna :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Peter :D!

    "Here's some more food for thought. It has been claimed that a Portuguese explorer, Christopher de Mendonca, discovered Australia in 1522, centuries before Captain Cook!"

    Yes, there are maps (written in Portuguese only) stating that he has. But I don't know why Portugal didn't claim it *shrugging*.

    "Think about it, I'd be able to sing "Larga" without an Aussie accent and possibly be related to you if Portugal had claimed the land I now stand on."

    LOL LOL I think you would still have an accent of some sort (like all the folks in our former colonies), which would've been a true delight :D! True, we could've been related :D!! Now that would've been rather interesting...

    Pete, thank you so much for this fantastic comment...you know, we don't always remember all the things we learn in school, so you brough some light of knowledge into here :D! It's always a true pleasure to hear your thoughts :D!

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hey Swu!! :D

    "Absolutely fantastic post. A great history lesson for me. And, I loved the video. Very instructive. Good. job. I always enjoy a little history."

    Why, thank you *bowing*! I am glad you liked it :D! Oooh, it is a good song indeed!
    Thanks, buddy :D! You are truly kind *bowing*!

    Swu, thanks for your kind comment...you are precious :D!

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hey Amelia :D!

    "THANKS for the history lesson again, Max! :-))))"

    You are welcome, darling :D!

    " That song has really a fast pace...I think I'm going to burn SO MANY calories if I try to dance according to the rhythm HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE HE..."

    LOL LOL I totally hear you! LOL LOL...

    Gorgeous, thank you for having dropped by and brought joy with you...:D

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi Anna :D!

    "Hey Max wanna go dancing girl. This is so cool. I love that kind of music. Excellent post, refreshing, and 'happy'. Anna :)"

    LOL let's go! I am so glad that you loved it :D!! I didn't know you liked this kind of music...you are surprising, Anna *impressed face*!
    Why, thank you *bowing*!

    Anna, thank you for this happy, encouraging and surprising comment :D! You rock!
    My love to Baby Matt!

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Carlos,

    Sure, we can x-links! Thanks for having invited me...I feel honoured *bowing*!

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hello Plokmaster's software,

    No, actually I am not looking for it...but thanks anyway *bowing*!

    Thanks, moreover, for having dropped by!

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  32. Max, thanks for the bit of Portuguese history. I'm a bit of a dolt when it comes to American history, and even worse when it comes to world history. I will have to blame it on my high school history teacher whom I had 3 years in a row. He was clearly senile and showed us the same films in class, over and over. :( Needless to say, we either wrote each other notes or just went to sleep during class.

    The music and dancing are great on this video. How come eveyone can MOVE so well? WOW, can they move!! Maybe they are younger than I am? LOL...

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi Max! Aussie accents aren’t the problem for most that come here, it’s the slang we use that drives them crazy.

    If you ever come here it’ll pay you to have a Captain Cook at this link before you come.

    Take Care,
    Peter

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hey Max, I did not know either about you, lol. See I knew there was something more we had in common. Anna :) Thanks for your all kind replies always my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hey Lynda, :D

    You came after all...so kind of you!

    "Max, thanks for the bit of Portuguese history. I'm a bit of a dolt when it comes to American history, and even worse when it comes to world history. I will have to blame it on my high school history teacher whom I had 3 years in a row. He was clearly senile and showed us the same films in class, over and over. :( Needless to say, we either wrote each other notes or just went to sleep during class."

    You are welcome, darling! Oh, I think we all had awful history teachers (unfortunately) *nodding*! LOL LOL of course...poor you! It should be against the law to teach so poorly, shouldn't it?

    "The music and dancing are great on this video. How come eveyone can MOVE so well? WOW, can they move!! Maybe they are younger than I am? LOL..."

    LOL They move well because they started very young...! Girl what are you talking about? In my family, women with 75 years old dance like no man's business...age is not a factor, trust me ;D!
    If you wish I can teach you :D!

    Lynda, thank you for having dropped by (I know you were painting at the time) and left such a fantastic comment :D!

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi Peter!

    "Aussie accents aren’t the problem for most that come here, it’s the slang we use that drives them crazy."

    LOL LOL LOL I hear you! I remember you introduced some of your slang to us (in one of your past posts) and it nearly drove me crazy LOL...

    "If you ever come here it’ll pay you to have a Captain Cook at this link before you come."

    Pete, thanks a million for this awesome link...I will study it hard, so that when I go there I won't go crazy :D! You are awesome!

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hey Anna :D!

    "Hey Max, I did not know either about you, lol. See I knew there was something more we had in common. Anna :) Thanks for your all kind replies always my friend."

    LOL true. We have quite a bit in common, my dear friend :D!
    You are welcome, darling! You know you deserve nothing but kindness *bowing*!

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thanks for this history lesson! I realy should now moreabout Portugal given how close is it to France, and how important it is historically speaking.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hey Zhu,

    :D You are welcome, girl! You are quite forgiven ;) (i.e. don't sweat it)!

    I know you are having fun over South America, so I'll only say one thing: don't forget to dance for me :D!

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete

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