Sometimes I
wonder why every country doesn’t have a Carnaval of it’s own to celebrate? I mean carnavals are amazing festivals and I
say that not because I’ll be parading in one myself in um, 21 days, but because they really are magical festivals. The
colorful and joyous movement of sticky half-clad, costumed bodies throughout the city’s paved streets seems like a
moment or day event every country should allow its residents to experience and gather to do. However, if every country
had a Carnaval I’m sure it would lose the overall appeal that draws thousands of visitors to places like Trinidad,
Puerto Rico, Brazil and Cape Verde. Yes, Cape
Verde.
The fact that Cape Verde, a group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean west of Senegal, has a
Carnaval too comes as no real large surprise. Much like Brazil, the islands which were colonized in the 15th century by
the Portuguese until 1975 when they gained independence. Portuguese is widely spoken in addition to Crioulo (a blend of
West African and Portuguese words.) While carnaval is celebrated across all the islands it is most vibrant on Sao Vicente and Sao Nicolau
and held in February or March around Ash Wednesday. Many people always ask me how one goes about joining a carnaval
seeing I’ve managed to squiggle my way into Trinidad’s, but I haven’t been able to find any detailed info on this one
held in Cape Verde. Your best bet is to have a contact in the country first who can point you to all the
resources. In the meantime check out these pictures on thee
vent and learn about other Cape Verdean
festivals.