The week before the official start of Carnival, the islands come alive with black warriors, especially in Mindelo on the island of São Vicente. They are the Mandingas, their history is Africa. One more reason to choose the archipelago as a travel destination, a pearl of the Atlantic, with an ideal climate all year round, where the music of Cesária Évora was born and the waves attract surfers and kiters from all over the world.
To get into the mood
Mindelo is the second largest and most populous city in Cape Verde. Its magnificent bay on the island of São Vicente competes with the most beautiful harbours in the world, and over the centuries it has been used very often for maritime traffic between Europe and southern Africa. Due to its strategic geographical position and its characteristics, at the end of the 19th century, with the approval of Portugal, the English established a large coal depot there to supply Her Majesty's steamships.
With a history as an important port on the Atlantic , Mindelo is considered the most “European” center of the tropical archipelago. However, it is here that an informal group of citizens was born who, recalling events of liberation from colonialism, gave themselves a decidedly “Afro” name and appearance, performing especially during the heartfelt and highly attended Mindelo carnival . They are the Mandingas de Ribeira Bote , inhabitants of a peripheral neighborhood of the city known for historical events of the independence of Cape Verde, and at the same time a place of marginalization, difficult and problematic.
In fact, in Ribeira Bote there were several episodes of resistance and outbreaks of revolt against the rulers. Portuguese , culminating in the armed defense of the neighborhood in 1974, declaring it Zona Libertada , liberated zone.
In order to try to combat the conditions of abandonment and give the local population a chance for redemption, in 2014 the Sonvela Arte project was launched, a street art painting campaign that involves residents painting their houses with frescoes and graffiti. The other fundamental initiative was the spontaneous formation of the Mandingas de Ribeira Bote , whose members perform dressed in straw skirts, their bodies covered in oil and tar , weapons in hand, like authentic Mandinga warriors.
A tribute to the Mandingo people of Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Gambia and other West African countries, of which many Cape Verdeans are descendants.
On the Saturdays preceding Carnival, but also during the week of celebration, the Mandingas de Ribeira Bote invade the streets of Mindelo with their tribal dance , shouting to the world pride, dignity, courage, desire for redemption. It is a disturbing show, marked by the rhythm of the drums, which has moments of wildness but also extremely fun , so much so that during Carnival the Mandingas often open or close the procession of schools and groups amid the enthusiasm of thousands of people.
They are then entrusted with the task of celebrating the funeral of the carnival as protagonists , the Saturday after the official closing. An imposing parade preceded by an electric truck that blasts music at mega decibels for the joy of the Mindelese and tourists, while the Mandingas de Ribeira Bote bring a strong and impetuous breath of mother Africa.
In Boa Vista
In recent years, the Mandingas demonstrations have also taken hold on other islands and in Boa Vista you can find groups wandering around the city playing drums and dancing, and here too they close the carnival which this year will fall on March 4th.
Experiencing these emotions up close turns even a short vacation into a cultural journey, accumulating a load of important memories that leave the desire to delve deeper and return.
Even just a week off during school holidays is enough to get to know the area, especially if you choose to live in contact with the locals, perhaps in an apartment.
I love Boa Vista proposes the first widespread hotel , that is the widespread hotel. Apartments located in strategic points of Sal Rei with different characteristics, but a common denominator which is the welcome with the comforts of a hotel. Free to live your holiday as if you were at home with the services of a resort, such as breakfast served "at home" or in a partner restaurant, a reception always available, guaranteed transfers to and from the airport, a partner beach, and even beach towels, on request.
With I love Boavista you will have a staff always ready to satisfy your requests: you can book the most beautiful and interesting excursions, different experiences , a car to travel independently and all the services that can make a holiday a trip.
Write to us to find out more and to book.
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