SEASON 6, EPISODE 27

The Republic of Cabo Verde, a captivating archipelago off the coast of West Africa boasts a vibrant culture of which the ethnic diversity is a part. The Island Nation’s history of colonisation, trade, and migration has contributed to the unique blend of ethnicities that define its cultural landscape.

On today’s episode of Learn Africa, we delve into the major ethnic groups that can be found in Cabo Verde.

CREOLES

The Creoles make up the highest number of the total population of Cabo Verde. They are the core of Cape Verdean identity. The Creoles are of African and European ancestry i.e. descendants of African slaves brought to Cabo Verde during the transatlantic slave trade and Portuguese settlers.

The language spoken by Creoles is the Cape Verdean Creole, which is a blend of Portuguese and African languages. This language serves as the lingua franca of the Islands.

AFRICANS

The second highest ethnic group in Cabo Verde are the Africans, who trace their roots to the slave trade era when Africans were brought to the islands as slaves, and the times when other African groups settled in Cabo Verde. These African tribes, including the Fulani, the Balante, the Mandyako and others have left an indelible mark on Cape Verdean culture.

PORTUGUESE

Another ethnic group that is present in Cabo Verde is the Portuguese. As a former Portuguese colony, Cabo Verde bears the imprint of its colonial past in its ethnic makeup. Portuguese settlers arrived in the islands during the colonial period, intermingling with the local population and contributing to the ethnic diversity of Cape Verde.

Cabo Verde is super special because it mixes up all kinds of different cultures to make something totally awesome. You can hear it in the music, like the smooth tunes of morna and the catchy beats of funaná, which blend African and European styles. And the food is a mix of flavours from Africa, Portugal, and other places, making it super tasty and unique.

Even though there are lots of different people and cultures in Cape Verde, they all come together and get along great. They’re proud of their differences and celebrate them with music, dancing, and fun festivals. It’s all about unity in diversity, showing how strong they are as a nation.

Written and edited by Ebby