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cape verdean music


Although tiny in the music world, Cape Verde has produced a number of internationally recognised artists such as singer Suzanna Lubrano, dance musician Tito Paris and, most famous of all, folk singer Cesária Évora.

Regarded as queen of the deliciously melancholic morna ballads, Evora has taken this beloved style of Cape Verdean music to the world. Usually accompanied by violin, guitar, clarinet or cavaquinho, morna is sung in native Creole and takes patriotism, love, lust and mourning as its themes. Morna is related to the Portuguese fado and its close cousin the Brazilian modinha.

The livelier side of Cape Verdean music can be enjoyed at the Sao Vicente Carnival which takes place in Mindelo in late February. Thousands of music fans descend on the town and the streets are a riot of rhythm and colour as Cape Verde mounts Africa's answer to Rio's world-famous party.