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Cape Verde is an archipelago of islands located in the Atlantic Ocean, 600km (450 miles) west-northwest of Senegal. Africa. With a population of more than 400,000, Cape Verde gained independence from Portugal in 1975. Its capital is Praia.
The Cape Verde islands consists of Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia, Ilheu Branco, Ilheu Raso, São Nicolau, Sal and Boa Vista, Maio, São Tiago, Fogo and Brava. All the islands are of volcanic origin, the main island, São Tiago, is mountainous, Fogo has the islands' highest peak, Mt Fogo (2840m/9320ft). Santo Antão has the highest rainfall and is much greener than the other islands and favorable for those who enjoy hiking.
The former Portuguese colony, is bilingual island whose official language is Portuguese and Cape Verdean Kriolu, a Portuguese and African dialect. Gaining its freedom from colonization in 1975, the democratic state, is heavily influenced by a unique Afro-European culture. This community is classified as Lusophone Africa due to its Portuguese roots and language and the influence of Africa.
The Cape Verdean Diaspora is primarily dispersed in North America: USA (400,000) & Canada; Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela), Europe (Portugal, France, Luxembourg, Wales, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Italy), Africa (Senegal) and islands such as Bermuda and Macau. In the U.S. the primary pockets are Massachusetts, Rhode Island and California. New England boasts the largest Cape Verdean community, with significant population in Pawtucket and Providence, RI; and Brockton, New Bedford, Taunton, and Dorchester, MA.
This Afro-European combination, the history of colonization, and the Diaspora, is what gives Cape Verde its unique culture, lifestyle, and music assets. It is the music asset that Fogo Music will look to bring mainstream. According to the Rough Guide Cape Verdean music “combines the influence of Portuguese colonists and African slaves the music of Cape Verde tells that life is hard and survival joyful….there are a variety of styles, such as morna and Coladera sound partly European, while Batuku, Funana, and Bandeira have more of a West African feel to them”
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