{"id":1353,"date":"2023-04-20T17:34:48","date_gmt":"2023-04-20T17:34:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/meetcaboverde.com\/?p=1353"},"modified":"2023-04-24T06:25:18","modified_gmt":"2023-04-24T06:25:18","slug":"cape-verde-history-and-slavery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/meetcaboverde.com\/cape-verde-history-and-slavery\/","title":{"rendered":"Cape Verde: History and Slavery’s Traces in the Most Western Part of Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cape Verde, is an island nation located off the coast of West Africa with a dark history and an extreme role in slavery: the islands were used by Europeans as the key point of slave trading between Africa and the Americas. This intense past marked by slavery also has profound consequences on the culture and psychology of the nation until today<\/strong>… <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But let’s start with a brief summary of its history that helps us understand why slavery did not only play a pivotal role in its history, but actually was the foundation of this unique country<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Cabo Verde was uninhabited until the 15th century (allegedly! read more below), when Portuguese explorers arrived and established a colony. The islands were used as a base for the transatlantic slave trade, and many Africans were forcibly brought to Cabo Verde before being transported to the Americas.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Cabo Verde gained independence from Portugal in 1975. The country’s first president, Aristides Pereira, led a one-party socialist state until multiparty democracy was established in 1991.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Cabo Verde has since made significant progress in developing its economy and improving living standards for its citizens. The country has become a hub for tourism and services, and has diversified its economy beyond agriculture and fishing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Despite these advancements, Cabo Verde still faces challenges such as high levels of emigration, economic inequality, and vulnerability to climate change. However, the government has launched initiatives to address these issues and continue the country’s development.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Overall, Cabo Verde’s history is marked by its colonial past<\/strong>, struggle for independence, and ongoing efforts to build a prosperous and sustainable future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Did Cabo Verde have indigenous people?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Officially, Cabo Verde does not have an indigenous population in the traditional sense. Historical records claim that the islands were uninhabited before they were discovered and colonized by Europeans in the 15th century<\/strong>. The first settlers on the islands were primarily Portuguese and African slaves brought to the islands to work on plantations and in other industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Historical records suggest that the islands were uninhabited until the arrival of the Portuguese in 1462, who subsequently began to settle the islands and established a slave trade from West Africa. The Portuguese also brought over slaves from other parts of Africa, including the Congo, Angola, and Guinea-Bissau.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As a result of this history, the population of Cape Verde today is a mix of African, European, and other ethnicities, with many individuals identifying as mulatto (mixed race). The official language of Cape Verde is Portuguese, although many Cape Verdeans also speak Creole, which is a mix of Portuguese and African languages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    The Bantu People: Were There Natives?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Traditional knowledge about an indigenous population of Cape Verde, prior to the arrival of the Portuguese in the 15th century is existent: The Bantu People<\/a><\/strong> were originally from Central and Southern Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the history and culture of the Bantu people on Cape Verde, and efforts have been made to preserve and celebrate their cultural heritage. However, given the lack of written records from the pre-colonial period, much of this history remains undocumented and is based on oral traditions and archaeological evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Overall, while the Bantu people were likely the original inhabitants of Cape Verde<\/strong>, the islands were later settled and colonized by the Portuguese, resulting in a complex mix of ethnic and cultural influences that continue to shape the identity of the islands today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Genetics of Today’s Population of Cape Verde?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Over time, Cabo Verde developed a unique culture and identity that draws on both African and European influences. The people of Cabo Verde are a mix of African and European ancestry, with some also having roots in other parts of the world, such as Brazil or the Caribbean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A genetic analysis shows that the islands vary in their genetic heritage, with a range of around 36% to 54% European ancestry<\/a> (Beleza et al. 2012).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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