Myths and stories are part of a people’s culture, contributing, to a certain extent, to the formation of the identity of that Society. Talking about São Vicente without talking about its stories and myths is unthinkable. The island contains an immense wealth of stories kept and told by our grandparents and by wise people but which, over the years, have been getting lost from the collective memory of the People.
This new design of the “NÔS IDENTIDADE” project will portray in an original and creative way the history of all the islands of the archipelago through phrases, drawings and symbologies that will be made available in a package, t-shirt + digital leaflet + ecological bag.
The brand's concept had its origins in "portraying what there is best in Santo Antão" and in this new phase, valuing and preserving Cape Verde's historical legacy.
Note: The t-shirt about São Vicente is subject to new editions, as it is impossible to tell the entire history of the island in a single symbology.
The Birds’ islet in in (Cape Verdean Creole) "Djeu", is an 82 meter high islet located about 3.5 km northwest of the city of Mindelo and geographically closes the natural bay of Porto Grande. The islet hosts the D. Luís lighthouse, also known as the Birds’ islet lighthouse or Porto Grande lighthouse, inaugurated on July 15th 1882. It is a white hexagonal tower in the shape of a truncated pyramid, with a red lantern and five meters high.
Natural port formed by the underwater crater of a volcano, with about 4 km in diameter and deep waters. It serves as a transatlantic port of call for ships of all nationalities. In earlier times, the port was a base for several coal companies in order to supply the ships on their transatlantic voyages. In a short period of time, it would become one of the main sources of income for the archipelago. Porto Grande is a bay that holds many incredible stories.
Lisbon Street is by far the most important and famous street in Mindelo. Its historical heritage is well preserved, there are good restaurants and frequent animations with live music. Above all, a pleasant conviviality with the native people in a unique atmosphere of human warmth and hospitality. No other street or place in São Vicente rivals Rua de Lisboa (Lisbon Street) in fame and history.
The month of September is considered the "month of Ribeira Bote", this is to remember the year 1974, one year before the country's independence. When the locals faced the Portuguese military who intended to invade the area, because the residents called it the "Liberated Zone". Located on the outskirts, near Mindelo's city center, Ribeira Bote is a community full of history, being the first liberated zone in Cape Verde and also the place where Captain Ambrosio's revolution began. Birthplace of artists in the areas of music, soccer, tennis, and also of the famous mandingas that take to the streets of Mindelo during Carnival.
ass plays an important role in the fishing sector in the development of the island of São Vicente. The profession has the important challenge of stirring the local economy and preserving the environment during spawning seasons, rules that are respected by the sector. Artisanal and semi-industrial fishing are the ones that prevail. Our fishmongers sell and distribute the fish around the city. Women and men of fiber marked by the daily struggle and resilience, tirelessly seeking their livelihood. February 5th is the national fisherman's day in Cape Verde.
By a decree-law of 1891 the old Dom Luiz Square (the first São Vicente's square) was granted and demolished for construction of coal deposits and as compensation, the Serpa Pinto Square was built in 1895. The construction of this new space was very controversial, not being much frequented in the beginning, it started to be called by the people as New Square, as it replaced the old one. Since it was built it has undergone several modifications and renovations to the bandstand that housed the musical band and gardens. The New Square knew how to attract the public and with time became the heart of the city, the main meeting point for its people.
Baía das Gatas (Cats Bay) is a natural bay and lies less than 10 km east of the city of Mindelo. The name of this bay originates from the abundance in its waters of a shark species called cat shark. Since 1984, the Baía das Gatas Festival, of international reference, has been held there on the first weekend of the full moon in August. It started as a meeting between friends who gathered on the beach to compose and play music. It grew from year to year, until today when it became one of the best musical events in the country. Every year renowned artists arrive from all over the world, as well as national artists for this large party, with a varied cultural and water sports program. The event attracts not only people from all over the archipelago, but also from foreign countries, forming a huge human frame during the days of the festival.
It began operating in 1922 and contributed to the education, instruction and entertainment of several generations of Cape Verdeans, especially at a time when there was no television and certainly not the current resources of information technology. It was home to many shows and cultural activities, including musical concerts, theater, dance, and carnival dances, among others.
The highest point of São Vicente with 774 meters of altitude, provides a breathtaking view over the entire island and its bays. From there, the view runs from Baía das Gatas (Cat's Bay), through Praia Grande (Big Beach) to the city of Mindelo with its harbor. In the background the majestic silhouette of the neighboring island of Santo Antão, as well as the more distant Santa Luzia and São Nicolau can be seen. It is a mandatory stop for those visiting the island of São Vicente and a very popular weekend destination - just a 15-minute drive from the city. The place has a quite cool and pleasant climate, and is home to some rare endemic plant species.
Francisco Xavier da Cruz (B. Leza or Beléza) born in São Vicente (1905-1958) was one of the most important musicians of Cape Verde. Due to his musical knowledge, B.Leza innovated in the morna and often used the passing cords (known as the Brazilian half-tone). He wrote several poems that appeared in the review of the magazine Claridade (Clarity). His style and work, began to gain recognition in the 1950s, when he influenced Cape Verdean music for the next twenty years. He composed dozens of mornas, the most famous being Eclipse, Miss Perfumado, Segredo Cu Mar and Lua Nha Testemunha.
Mindelo-born (1934-2002) composer, flutist, saxophonist, clarinetist and founder of the "Escola Musical do Mestre Luís Morais" (Master Luís Morais' Musical School). At the age of 14, Luís Morais was already part of the Mindelo band, performing in the Praça Nova (New Square) or even in bars and parties together with family and friends, performing mornas, coladeiras, salsas, batucadas and waltzes. Coming from a family of musicians, he made a great contribution to the instrumental music style of Cape Verde until the last moment of his life and came to be considered the Ambassador of Cape Verdean Music. Morais' work includes typical Cape Verdean styles, as well as choro, samba, and Brazilian bossa nova. During his long and prestigious career, he became known as a virtuous performer of wind instruments, including saxophones (alto and tenor), clarinet and flute. He was the mentor of the famous ensemble "Voz de Cabo Verde" (Voice of Cape Verde) with which he toured the world as a soloist and musical director.
Born in Mindelo (1941-2011), she was the most internationally recognized singer in the history of Cape Verdean popular music. Despite being successful in several other musical genres, Cesária Évora was mostly related to morna, for this reason, she is also nicknamed the "queen of morna". She was known as the barefoot diva for her peculiar custom of doing her musical performances with her bare feet on the ground.
The Artistic and Cultural Association - Mindelact is a non-governmental organization - NGO, founded in 1996. It has an artistic and social character, is non-profit and aims essentially at the development and promotion of performing arts in Cape Verde, being essentially linked to theater. The Association trains young people in the various disciplines related to the performing arts and supports Artistic Education with documentation for study, having launched the magazine Mindelact- "teatro em revista" (theater in review) on the market. It takes place every year in September, being the main theatrical event in Cape Verde. It had its first edition in 1995 with only national groups participating, becoming international in 1997.
Born in São Vicente (1907-2005), Manuel dos Santos Lopes was a fictionist, poet, essayist, and one of the founders of modern Cape Verdean literature. Together with Baltasar Lopes da Silva and Jorge Barbosa, he was responsible for the creation of the famous magazine Claridade (Clarity). Manuel dos Santos Lopes wrote his texts in Portuguese, although he used Cape Verdean Creole expressions in his works. He was one of those responsible for making the world aware of the calamities, droughts, and deaths in São Vicente and Santo Antão that raged throughout the archipelago at the time.
With the installation of the first English coal companies in São Vicente in the year 1850, the island opened to international shipping. The English introduced a more modern way of living to the city and new sports such as golf, cricket, tennis, and soccer. It is curious that the people of Mindelo were never admitted to the English clubs or activities, but they watched with great interest the eccentricities and the latest innovations, learning and creating conditions so that they could also practice Golf on the island. The Golf Club is located at the gates of the city on a vast land with acacia trees. In 1920 it was called St. Vincent Golf Club, in 1969 it became Club Anglo-Portuguese and in 1975 Golf Club of S. Vicente. If at first it was an activity restricted to foreigners, soon the local population approached it, appropriated it, and gave the sport a very unique meaning, highlighting the island of São Vicente on the world stage.
The tradition of the Mandingas arrived in São Vicente and stayed there, growing roots and infecting the entire Cape Verdean nation. History tells us that a group of dancers coming from the verdant islands of the Bijagós archipelago, in Guinea-Bissau, landed in 1940 in Porto Grande, São Vicente, on a trip that would take them to Portugal for an exhibition. They would have given a show in the Salina area, today known as Praça da Estrela, which would have caused a great impact on the curious and creative people of the city of Mindelo. During the following Carnival, Mindelo residents dressed up to imitate these dancers and their African dances, which were popular among the people, particularly in the outlying areas, where the simplicity of the clothing and dance was accepted. The year 2023 will mark 83 years of the history of the Mandingas of Mindelo. A history that has endured for ages, becoming what it is today, a strong cultural reference of the island.
The Carnival tradition on the island of São Vicente goes back a long way. Although without the sensual charge of today, it is thought that the carnivalesque tradition in Mindelo had its origins in the 12th century, as a result of the Portuguese Shrovetide influences. However, like other cultures and traditions, it has evolved over the years, mainly due to the crossing of cultures that Porto Grande was in charge of unifying. It is a party that takes place annually and brings together the sympathy of all the inhabitants of the island and the curious from all corners of the world. It is characterized by a parade of floats, marches, music, and dance, and incorporates elements that are part of the culture and history of the island. For the inhabitants of São Vicente, Carnival is the time of the year when the invitation to share is extended. It is three days in which the entire city lives an ecstatic rhythm in which everyone participates.
The People's Palace, formerly the Government Palace, is a public building in the historic center of the city of Mindelo that reveals the architectural charm of an old colonial city. It is located at the eastern end of Libertadores de Africa Street. It was built in 1874, when there were plans to move the capital of Cape Verde to São Vicente. After the Independence, Prime Minister Pedro Pires made the presentation of the first "Government Program of the Republic of Cape Verde" there and it was renamed Palácio do Povo (People's Palace). It was the Government Palace and State House, one of the first works done in the city of Mindelo.
It is a sports, recreational and cultural association founded on October 8, 1919 in the current city of Mindelo. It is the oldest football club in Cape Verde and in all of West Africa. In 2019, the club became centennial, bringing with it victories, surpassing and resilience throughout the ages.
Also known as Ponta Machado lighthouse or São Pedro lighthouse, the D. Amelia lighthouse is located on the west side of the island of São Vicente, at Ponta Machado, about 3 km west of the village of São Pedro. Built in 1894, it is a square tower 14m high, in stuccoed masonry, rising from the southern facade of a first floor building. All painted white with pink wedges.
It is the oldest tennis club in Cape Verde. It is a sports, recreational, and cultural association on its way to its 100-year history in 2022, filled with victories, overcoming and resilience throughout the years.
(Face hill) owes its name to the fact that its shape is reminiscent of a human face looking at the sky. It is a 490-meter-high mountain, west of the bay of Porto Grande, in front of the city of Mindelo. It is the ex libris of the island and one of the 7 wonders of Cape Verde.
