Customs and traditions
Traditions, celebrations and customs on the Cape Verde Islands are characterized by the mixed African and European origins of the population. Christian traditions dominate here, but elements of traditional African customs and customs are found. Cape values strongly identify with the culture of their special island. Generally speaking, Cape values from the northern part of the island (barlavento) are more Portuguese influenced, while the country’s southern islands (sotavento) are more culturally linked to the African continent.
It is common for cutting values to live in large families with several generations represented in the household. The children are often raised by several different adult relatives. In many households, in practice, women are single, as men work abroad to provide for the family.
- Countryaah: Overview of the capital city of Cape Verde, including information about its population, economy, geography, history and map.
According to Abbreviationfinder, Cape values are usually described as generous and hospitable. Even in poor families, it is customary to offer food when you have guests. Eating with other people present without sharing the food is considered unfair, so in Cape Verde you don’t usually eat out on the street or on a bus.
When Cape values talk to others, they often get closer to their interlocutor than what Northern Europeans are used to. It is also not uncommon to touch the person you are talking to or take the person’s hand. This applies to both women and men. When greeting each other, it is common with both handshakes and cheek kisses, and you should ask each other some polite questions of the type “how is your family?”. This is repeated every time you meet.
As many Cape values live abroad for a period of their lives, “farewell” and “welcome home” parties are common and important. Even funerals tend to be big events with many people present. The mourners are mourning for a year after the funeral and are then not allowed to dance or play music.
Maize is the staple food for most capwoods. The national dish cachupa is a pot made from corn porridge, beans, vegetables and chicken, pork or fish. Other typical Cape Verdean dishes are conj (a soup), djagacida (chicken dish with rice) and gufong (corn bread). Common foods include tropical fruits, rice, beans, fish, potatoes and cassava. For breakfast, cuscus (a steamed corn bread) is often eaten with honey and milk or coffee. Cape Verde usually consumes the biggest meal in the middle of the day and eats a lighter evening meal. A kind of local rum is popular, especially among men.
The vast majority of Cape Verde dress is Western. Women sometimes wear panos (a fabric strip) as knots.
According to Countryaah, since Cape Verde is a Christian country, all the usual Christian holidays are celebrated, such as Christmas, Easter and all Saints’ Day. In addition, each city or municipality has a special day when one observes their own patron saint with a party. January 20 is National Heroes Day, while January 25 is celebrated in memory of Amilcar Cabral, who was one of Cape Verde’s independence heroes. Independence Day falls on July 5. Workers’ Day (May 1) and New Year’s Day (January 1) are also red days in Cape Verde.
Communications
There are regular ferry trips between most of the Cape Verde Islands and now there are regular ferry services to Portugal, Spain, Northern Europe, Brazil and the African mainland. The main ports are Porto Grande in Mindelo on the island of São Vicente, Praia on São Tiago and Palmeira on Sal.
The road network comprises about 225 km, of which 175 km has paving (usually paving stones). A comprehensive expansion of the road system is underway with the help of assistance.
Improvements and expansion of air traffic are also ongoing. The international airport on the island of Sal handles just over half a million passengers a year, but has far greater capacity than that. Many aircraft on their way from southern Africa to the United States land at Sal to refuel. An international airport is also located outside Praia. The airports at São Vicente and Boa Vista have also been rebuilt to accommodate international traffic. On other inhabited islands there are smaller airports.
A number of international companies fly to Cape Verde. The country’s own airline TACV has several international connections. There is also a small, private company for traffic within the country.