Cape Verde

10 Macaronesian African islands with African and Portuguese ancestry

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Kriolas at the Fifa World Cup 2026 🦋🇨🇻

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Beautiful CV Blue Sharks Fans at the 2026 Fifa World Cup

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Cape Verde qualified for the World Cup for the first time in history...Nu Bai!🇨🇻🎊

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This beautiful culture of ours🇨🇻

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The oldest city in Cape Verde:

Also known as Old City or Ribeira Grande de Santiago, Cidade Velha in Cape Verde was the first capital of the archipelago. Located on the island of Santiago, it was built by the Portuguese in 1562. The name was changed because it was confused with another city on another island with the same name. Due to its riches it was subject to frequent pirate attacks.

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The cimboa (or cimbó) is a traditional one-stringed bowed lute from Cape Verde, predominantly used to accompany the, likely oldest, musical style, batuque. It features a calabash gourd soundbox, a wooden neck, and a single string played with a bow.It is an endangered instrument. Efforts are underway to revitalize it, including workshops for its construction and training new players, such as at the Fonte Lima Interpretive Center. The instrument is associated with the island of Santiago's heritage and is considered a symbol of Cape Verdean, identity. Once common, it is now rare and considered a vital piece of Cape Verdean cultural heritage.

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Cape Verdean women in traditional clothing🙏🏼

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Portrait of a woman in Sao Vicente smoking pipe.

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Oral traditions passed down the centuries among the Portuguese and the Cape Verdeans indicate that the islands we're not always uninhabited the way history says. According to these stories, Sao Tiago was inhabited by Wolofs, natives of Senegal and Gambia, both West African Coastal Nations. They also claim that Sal was inhabited by Lebu, Serer, and Felup. These groups were also native to the African continent.

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Life in Cape Verde but in black and white. For more photos and history check out:

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The Tale of Escondido Oru of Pirate Drake

Not all sea legends are tragic. Some promise fortune instead of misfortune. A well-known Cape Verdean legend invites treasure hunters with the tale of Escondido Oru – hidden gold buried somewhere in the islands. The most famous version claims that the 16th-century English pirate Sir Francis Drake hid a pirate treasure in Cape Verde, and that the map to the treasure was lost, never to be found. Generations of locals have speculated about secret troves of coins or jewels concealed in caves or under old colonial ruins.

While no such pirate hoard has ever been confirmed, the Drake story persists as a romantic mystery – part history (since Drake did raid the islands) and part hopeful fantasy that unimaginable wealth might lie beneath one’s very feet. 

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Neila from Sao Vicente: @_nmll_🇨🇻

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Conta d' Odju or Conta de Ojo: The All Seeing Eye. The authentic bead is made from glass. But these days it's made from plastic aswell. This amulet is deeply rooted in the culture. They are worn to ward off "mau odjado" (evil eyes) and in spirit, is very much like the East African "gris gris". A Cape Verdean or West African parent would usually place a conta d' odju on a baby at birth, or someone may give one to a relative, friend, or a sick loved one.

Traditionally, the miracle stone is given as gifts in order for them to work. Today, many can just buy them in CV or abroad. Cape Verdean folklore says that the beads will keep the "feticeira" (witch) away. And if the bead breaks or dissapears, then someone is putting the evil eye on you! It has done it's job and you must replace it quickly. If it breaks while an ill child is wearing it, the child is getting better. If it cracks down the middle while wearing it you will have good luck forever. For more visit the link below!

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Yes, Africa has concentration camps too. Cape Verde's Tarrafal Concentration Camp a.k.a "Campo da Morte Lenta" (Camp of Slow Death), established under Salazar's dictatorship in 1936, is reminiscent of South Africa's infamous Robben's Island. It was a maximum security political prison spawned by demonic minds for executing the most heinous tortures upon anti fascist Portuguese and Nationalists Africans. One notorious contraption, called the "Frigideira" or the frying pan(photo on slide 3) subjected it's victims to temperatures of 122-144 degrees F for days on end while in a crouched position in a cramped space. It was situated in the harshest part of Tarrafal. It was permanently decommissioned May 1, 1974. Info via "The Making of The Cape Verdean" by Manuel E Costa. For more CV history and photos please visit below:

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