Local traditions and culture in Cape Verde

The harbours in Cape Verde are often the center of a lot of the social life.
There is lot's of tuna fish in the cape verdian waters and fishing is a big part of the culture.
Because of that the harbour is often a big part of the local scene.

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Do you like getting hassled while you are trying to shop for souvenirs? Of course not. Giving non-stop hassle to people to Tourists walking around shops is a full-time occupation for some sellers in the streets. Market stalls and some small shops will also try very very hard to get you to part with your money. Part of the pressure they put on you is designed to make you give in, buy something and not haggle the price down.

Want to make it stop?

Just look them in the eye and calmly say “NO STRESS”.

It seems to work. Makes them go a bit quiet.

our passengers had a tour on the island and a few days later I got this Cap Verde bank note as a tip by one of our passengers.

I actually have no idea about the value of it, but for me it is a rare souvenir and I don't care at all that it is rather worn out and almost falls apart...

Tipping onboard of M/S Vistafjord was kind of recommended, but not really compulsory. The cruiseline put a note into the daily bulletin, saying that the usual tip for a waiter and a stewardess should be around 2,50 $ each per day per passenger, in case that you got the service that you expected.
The basic salary by Cunard was very low but with 12-14 passengers for a waiter the total amount was fair, when you considdered the chance to see a lot of the world.

I guess they go there cause there are no other choices ... sheeps on the beach !!! Not for sunbathing of course, but trying to find out something to eat.
Don't disturb them too much ... they could become a little bit aggressive ...

Although there are many immigrants from Cape Verde in Portugal, it was only during this vacation that I found out the this people are friendly, tender and helpful. I was really impressed...
I also noticed that men were polite and respect lonely ladies in the street. gentlemen, I would say...

Even if you don't understand a word of crioulo, a local theatre is definitely worth a visit. Not only it gives you totally different view on fundamentals of theatre, it will also bring a lot of fun and social feeling.

If, in your heart, you are lacking the feeling that you belong to some pack/family/kennel/group of people (even though you might not admit this aloud), if you feel that you might have freinds on the other side of globe that you met on Internet, but you don't know your neighbours, if you feel a bit lost, even though you have everything, and if I was a doctor, I would recommend you to go to the movies in Cabo Verde. And better yet, choose some movie that is fun and full of rythm. And you will see that cinema is not only a place to watch a movie, it is first of all a place where you meet your friends, where you can express your sympathy with the guys from movie (loud or louder), where you dance when there is good music, where you shout and eat and drink and talk to friends and advice actors what to do with actresses. It is a place to live:)

Francisco Manso directed a movie O TESTAMENTO DO SENHOR NAPOMUCENO about Napumoceno Da Silva Araújo, who was the most successful businessman of Cabo Verde’s archipelago. Which is why his death (in 1984) didn’t leave anyone indifferent, particularly in Mindelo, where he lived. Carlos, his nephew, already saw himself as the heir to his estates. But his uncle’s life hid some secrets, which were soon to be revealed by his will and some recorded tapes left for Graça, his illegitimate daughter, the unexpected heiress to entire his fortune...Go and see!