There are many Cape Verdean communities in the world. Because Cape Verde was a colony of Portugal, the largest community is of course based in Portugal.
But there are also communities in France, the UK and in The Netherlands. And not only in Europe, also in the US and South America. (Photo Suzanna Lubrano)
In a story on the blog 'The Great Cape Verde Adventure' the blogger writes about this Cape Verdean diaspora.
"How many Cape Verdeans actually live outside of Cape Verde? These individuals comprise the Cape Verdean diaspora.
The popular thinking is that more Cape Verdeans live outside Cape Verde than live within it. The poplation of Cape Verde is just over half-million residents in 2011 (based on the most recent census). I've heard estimates for the population of the diaspora that range from half-million to one million.
And it's a very interesting question to ask for several reasons.
First, it has significant implications for the country's economy because almost 10% of the GDP comes from remittances sent to Cape Verdean families from members who live in other lands, and provides support to families for the basics of living as well as to start small businesses. Remittances were actually an even higher percentage of the total economic output but have been surpassed by tourism and foreign direct investments."
Read the full story at http://greatcvadventure.blogspot.com
Cape Verde for absolute beginners
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa.
The previously uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th Century, and became an important location in the Atlantic slave trade due to their geographically advantageous position.
Most of the population is of creole ethnicity, mixed from black African and European descent. The European men who colonized Cape Verde did not usually bring wives or families with them. As female African slaves were brought to the islands inter-marriages occurred (source wiki).
Cape Verdeans in Europe
Cultural impact in The Netherlands
Rotterdam Carnival
The Cape Verdean community is often name the 'silent community' in the Netherlands, but not many people know that Rotterdam Cape Verdeans had a major input in the first edition of the summer carnival in 1984. The carnival is now considered as one the biggest events in Netherland and is now known als The Rotterdam Summer Carnival. The Summer Carnival in Rotterdam was placed on the UNESCO list of intangible heritage in 2023. In the video, interviews with some of the pioneers.
Clave - Slavery Monument (Rotterdam)
The monument was desiged by Cape Verdean artist Alex da Silva (1974-2019).
Links
Note: This post has been updated
Excellent summary Afro-Europe. Cape Verde is an interesting study for people of African heritage whether in Europe of the USA. I appreciate the plug!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Angelo!
ReplyDeleteAnyone interested in Cape Verde should check out Transition issue 103, which features a cluster of writing (translated from CVC and Portuguese into English) and artwork from Cape Verde.
ReplyDeletehttp://dubois.fas.harvard.edu/transition-103
Why is it if you are mixed race...Black and Italian for instance...and you look Italian...not Black at all...why are you still just referred to as being only Black when the only relative who is Black was on your fathers side generations back. There is Black blood on Johnny Depp's fathers side. The link below shows a family tree on Depp’s father’s side that leads right up to his grandfather Oren Laramore Depp.
ReplyDeletehttp://ethnicelebs.com/johnny-depp
If you go back 9 generations on this family tree it will lead to a woman named Martha, born in 1612, who was an African American woman.]
(1) If you go back 9 generations on this family tree it will lead to a woman named Martha, born in 1612, who was an African American woman.]
He hasn't been made an issue of it though. I don't see him showing up to honor other Blacks at the NAACP award shows. Is that because he doesn't refer to himself as being Black? He never has. I've never heard/read any mention of it before until I ran across it on this site. Why isn't he referred to as a Black actor also?
@skylark211
^^^Why are you only referred to as black when you might be African and Italian? Well guess what you look like? Guess what race people assume you to be?
ReplyDeleteExactly.
Hey i don't know why you are referred to as Black. But my question to you is...does that bother you? Would you rather be called just Italian? As for Johnny Depp...not interested in him at all. You just make sure you're happy with whom you are...ok
ReplyDelete"The European men who colonized Cape Verde did not usually bring wives or families with them. As female African slaves were brought to the islands inter-marriages occurred (source wiki)."
ReplyDeleteThis is just not true. Black women didnt just inter-marry their slave holders and masters. African women were property and property is forced to be what the master wants. There was a theory and ideology by the Portuguese, which was practiced everywhere they went from Goa to Brasil, Angola and of course the Islands in Africa. The Whitening of Black societies. Today light skinned cape verdeans are celebrating this genocide. ignoring the fact the majority has european blood from the raping of africans.
To say during slave that white men and black women rejoiced and inter married it's a great injustice. And an insult to Africa.
But Africa will have her justice one day.
A. Kandimba
Here is a Mix I made dedicated to the music of Cabo Verde. enjoy!!!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mixcloud.com/fitz5000/dj-fitz-cachupa-cabo-verde-mix/
DJ Fitz