AAfrican Knowledge Atlas

Cabo Verde

Capital: Praia · West Africa

Atlantic island nation whose Krioulo culture — born of African and Portuguese encounter — produced morna music and a global diaspora identity.

Ethnic communities

  • Cape Verdeans (Krioulu)Creole society blending West African and Portuguese roots
  • BadiuSantiago islanders preserving strongest African traditions (batuque, funaná)

More communities of Cabo Verde

  • Badiu (Santiago) Deepest African roots — batuku drumming and funaná accordion
  • Sampadjudu (windward) São Vicente–Santo Antão creoles of morna's ports
  • Fogo islanders Volcano-slope wine growers under Pico's shadow
  • Santo Antão highlanders Ribeira farmers of cloud-fed terraces
  • Brava islanders Whaler-emigrant island of morna's gentlest verse
  • Maio & Boa Vista folk Salt-pan and dune island communities
  • Sal salt-workers' heirs From salinas labor to tourism's frontline
  • São Nicolau communities Seminary island of letters and grogue
  • Rabelados Santiago's hinterland dissenters keeping old ways
  • Fisher lineages Inter-island boatmen of tuna and wahoo
  • Emigrant families The diaspora nation — remittance and return
  • Morna & batuku artist houses Music dynasties from Cesária's Mindelo

Languages

Major languages: Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu), Portuguese

Language families: Portuguese-based Creole

Historical kingdoms & states

  • (Colonial entrepôt of Ribeira Grande — first European tropical city)

Heritage sites

  • Cidade Velha (Ribeira Grande de Santiago)

Cultural highlights

Morna (UNESCO)Batuque and funaná musicTabanka processions