Cesária Évora: I’m sure you’ve heard one of her songs at some point.
Do you want to meet the queen of morna in Cape Verde?
Whether we talk about music or Cape Verdean culture, there is a name that inevitably comes to mind: Cesária Évora. Considered “the queen of morna” (a musical genre native to Cape Verde that fuses Portuguese, Brazilian and Angolan rhythms), this internationally acclaimed singer has put the island of St. Vincent on the map. On a trip to the archipelago, it is practically impossible not to come across a reference to the greatest Cape Verdean artist of all time.
Cesária Évora was born in 1941 in Mindelo, capital of the island of San Vicente and second most important city of Cape Verde. Although music has always been a part of her, her first album was not released until 1988, entitled ‘La diva de los pies descalzos’ (The diva of bare feet). Not in vain, this was precisely one of her hallmarks, as she was known for taking the stage without shoes, in honor of the most disadvantaged.
Tradition, art and passion
However, it was not until 1992, with the release of the album ‘Miss Perfumado’, that her name began to be heard on the international scene. Cesária Évora’s contribution to Cape Verdean culture is indisputable. Thanks to the singer, musical genres such as morna or coladera, both characteristic of the archipelago, reached the ears of the world.
"Until he traded the bars of Mindelo for some of the most important stages in the world."
La morna is sadness made musical genre, a song to nostalgia. On the other hand, coladera is the opposite. It is a joyful and vibrant style, made for dancing. Cesária Évora, thus, knew how to give voice to both genres while professing her love for her homeland, Cape Verde.
Cesária Évora, the voice of Cape Verdean culture that can still be heard in Mindelo
There is no doubt that Cesária Évora is one of the greatest exponents of Cape Verdean culture, although her figure is even more relevant in Mindelo, the city where she was born and died.
The capital of the island of St. Vincent is one of the liveliest places in the whole archipelago. Mindelo is also considered the cultural capital of Cape Verde. The city opens its doors to visitors with its lively neighborhoods and picturesque bars. So it is interesting to imagine that Cesária Évora’s musical career started singing from bar to bar, going up and down the streets of Mindelo.
The artist took her first musical steps in her hometown, playing the morna as only she knew how, until she changed the bars of Mindelo for some of the most important stages in the world.
Therefore, it doesn’t matter if a hundred years go by, because the people of Cape Verde will always remember their most international artist. The Cesária Évora House Museum in Mindelo, erected where the singer lived, will ensure that her voice continues to be heard.
Cape Verde’s culture, historical heritage and landscapes are just a stone’s throw away, so keep discovering them as you travel!
