Genres

The living conditions on Cape Verde forced the islanders to be pragmatic. Survival requires creativity, perseverance and a zest for life, and one of the musical styles that expresses this zest for life is the coladeira. This style, which arose on São Vicente, is popular all over Cape Verde, while another style danced all over Cape Verde is the funana, which originated on the island Santiago. At the time of Portuguese rule, this distinctly African-tinted style was forbidden, because its lyrics, accompanied by diatonic accordion and ferrinho (an iron rod played with a knife) challenged social inequalities. The morna, a melancholy musical style the lyrics of which are poems of departure, love and saudade (longing for home), is considered by all Cape Verdeans to be their national music.

Funaná

The funaná arose at the beginning of the last century on the island of Santiago. Some claim that this style originated on the island of São Tome, where a similar style is played. Because due to the social criticism embodied in its lyrics, the funaná was banned under Portuguese rule, this style developed in virtual isolation prior to Cabo Verde’s independence. Traditionally the vocals are accompanied on the gaita (diatonic accordion) and ferrinho (an iron rod played with a knife). The old masters of the traditional funana are Tchota Soares, Bitori and Codé di Dona. After Cabo Verde’s independence in 1975 this style became tremendously popular with the addition of instruments such as the electric guitar, synthesizer, bass and drums, with numbers such as Carlos Alberto Martins “Catchas.” The funana is still danced by packed crowds at parties and in Cape Verdean dance clubs.

Batuque

Batuque is one of the oldest musical style of Cabo Verde and is played mainly on the island of Santiago. This music is traditionally played and sung by women known as batukadeiras, who play bundles of cloth (tchabeta) by holding them between the knees and striking them with their hands. This playing style probably arose from the time when, in the days of the slave trade, the Portuguese banned the drum in an effort to prevent uprisings and deprive the slaves of the means of exchanging secret messages. The lyrics, usually full of sage advice, are sung by one of the older women and answered in choir, accompanied by a distinct and exuberant dance style. One form of the batuque is the finason, in which lyrics of an instructive, political or philosophical nature are improvised on the spot. Batuque is still a living tradition and is played at family events, holidays, and the like.

Tabanka

In the month of May, on the island of Santiago, the festivities surrounding the tabanka begin. The word tabanka means ‘a symbiotic community,’ or sometimes refers to a brotherhood. The tabanka was originally an African celebration to which European (Catholic) customs were later added. This mix can be seen in the “tabanka temple.” Here the tambors, instruments descended from European marching drums, are stored. On a small altar lie the buzios, large shells that are blown rhythmically, like a trumpet, and together with the tambors form the musical basis for the tabanka. The tabanka is traditionally performed as a procession representing a royal court. At the head of the procession strut the beautifully costumed king and queen accompanied by their retinue. The procession bears along many flags, bones and other attributes, and the whole village joins in dance.

Mazurka

The mazurka, popular on the islands of Santo Antão and São Nicolau, came originally from the area around Warsaw, Poland. The inhabitants of this region were known as Mazurs, and their dances, which probably date back to the 16th century, were called mazurkas. At the beginning of the 19th century, the mazurka took England by storm, being adopted from the German nobility and the French elite. From there, this dance in three-four time made its way into the musical traditions of many parts of the world. The mazurka is still played and danced at weddings and other celebrations, both on Cape Verde and at Cape Verdean festivities in places like Rotterdam. On Santo Antão and São Nicolau, the mazurka is often alternated with the contredance. The contredance is inspired in English country dancing and was introduced to the French court around 1685. In France, it became the most popular dance of the 18th century. The mazurka and the contredance were probably brought to Cabo Verde by seafarers, as were genres such as the polka, waltz and galop which were popular in the ballrooms of the 19th century.

Bandeira

For centuries, May 1 has marked the celebration of Nho São Filipe on the island of Fogo. In this celebration, named for the patron saint of the island, secular and religious symbols flow together into the bandeira. The event revolves around a ceremonial flag (the “bandeira”), which is first dipped in the sea and then blessed in church in a special mass. The flag is the prize in a horse race, and the family who wins the flag earns the privilege of organising and paying for next year’s festival. The proud representative of the winning family bears the flag in a procession through São Filipe to the sound of drums and through the canizade, who have already carried out an extensive preparation ritual in which three women stamp corn in a stamper in a batuque-style rhythm. The same number of drummers play a variety of rhythms on marching drums in old European style. On top of these polyrhythms, a cantor sings partially improvised lyrics which are answered in choir. At the same time, a ritual meal is prepared. The Mendes Brothers, who are natives of the island of Fogo, have worked the bandeira into their music in a modern way.

Cola Sanjon

Sao João is a religious festival celebrated in many parts of the world at the end of June. São Vicente, Santo Antão and Brava were the first islands to add secular aspects to this celebration after celebrating the mass, by erecting a pole in the fields next to the church on which were hung gifts for the poor. This is the origin of the cola sanjon style, a “belly dance” that exhibits elements of African fertility rites and traces of 17th century Portuguese folk dancing. Drummers play a batuque-like rhythm on drums brought by the Portuguese from Europe long ago, and the music is not complete without a chirping whistle. Traditionally the men dance in a richly decorated mock boat. Sao Joao is celebrated throughout Cape Verde and by the Cape Verdean communities abroad, but it the wildest version is found on Santo Antão.