A living and creative craft
Reed basketry, cotton weaving and tapestry are characteristic expressions of Cape Verdean craftsmanship. Women, for example, crochet and embroider a variety of items, from table linen to handbags. The creative imagination of these artisans is boundless. They are capable of producing genuine works of art using materials that would otherwise be thrown away, such as plant fibers, rags, eggshells and coconuts to make all kinds of decorative objects. More recently, we've seen the emergence of crafts made from clay and stones from the Fogo volcano.
Calabedache and African fabrics
The fabric known as pano de terra, or literally "earthen fabric", was once a commercial product destined for export. In the same spirit, there's the Calabrian variant, but what's behind this strange name? It's a traditional practice of joining together several strips of fabric. For example, blankets (which can be used as bed throws or throws) are made up of long strips woven on a reed loom, made in situ by weavers using cotton, sheep's wool and rags as raw materials. This tapestry is becoming increasingly rare as it has lost its original ethnographic significance, but it is still possible to find some. Straight from the continent, batik, wax, bogolan and calico fabrics are sold by the metre to make curtains or cushions; you can even have a garment made to measure, in record time.
Beverages and other local products
Those who have tasted sugarcane brandy, the famous national grogue with a false air of agricultural rum, will want to bring some back to share their experience: it's sold everywhere, but artisanal is still the preferred choice. Purists claim that authentic grogue must be made in Santo Antão. Indeed, this is where most of the distilleries are concentrated and where the best sugar cane grows, according to the locals. This institutional beverage is used to make a variety of ponches, flavored with exotic fruits, maracuja, tamarind, etc.
Wines, such as Manecon, are additive-free and come from vineyards located on the slopes of the Fogo volcano. Difficult to find abroad, they're sure to add an original touch to your cellar. Full-bodied reds, citrusy whites or fresh rosés, you'll no doubt be familiar with them by the time you're done. And don't forget the amber-colored passito or straw wine, perfect for dessert. In the terroir category, you'll find jars of jams and coffee, also produced on the volcanic soil of Fogo.
A bit of the islands in song
If you've been seduced by Cape Verdean melodies, the first thing you'll do on your return is listen to your new playlist over and over again. The rich diversity of Cape Verde's musical inspiration has been forged through a process of cross-fertilization, offering a wide range of moods, from the languorous morna to the festive mazurka, via the coladeira, funana and batuque, performed by a host of artists whose output is flourishing... enough to brighten up your winter evenings. Musicians and other instrument lovers will be delighted to discover the cimboa (calabash), ferrinho, viola and cavaquinho (small four-string guitar). Musical instruments will easily find a small place in your suitcase.
Handcrafted jewelry and amulets
Sibitchi, or "eye beads", small black verrotte beads spotted with white, are known to protect against the evil eye. Typically Cape Verdean and assembled locally, these amulets make original souvenirs. Another easy-to-carry item is the cowrie shell, a small shell with a hint of Africa, once used as a bargaining chip. In the spirit of grigri, they can be worn as pendants or accumulated with other charms, or as a customization element.
Basketry with a vintage look
Straw, sisal and natural fibers are making a huge comeback in our interiors and can be integrated into any décor, a nod to the hippie style of the 70s. In Cape Verde, you'll find a variety of handmade objects, mostly made by women: baskets, boxes, vases, baskets, lampshades and more... enough to give your decor a boost or offer a gift that's sure to please.
African naive paintings
As in other West African countries such as Senegal, a graphic movement has slowly but surely emerged thanks to the work of painters, often self-taught, most of them in the naïve tradition. Art lovers, by opting for a canvas, however small, you're bound to bring back a unique piece, a visual testimony to your trip. Don't hesitate to push open the doors of art studios and galleries whenever you come across one on your travels. Mindelo, for example, is home to renowned artists such as the Tchalé brothers.
Traditional games
A highly original and typically African game, Ouri! Also known as Uri or Awalé, it consists of a wooden board with twelve holes in which each player places his seeds (pebbles or shells), the aim being to collect as many seeds as possible by the end of the game. Legend has it that the tree that produces the seeds used in the game, the Caesalpinia crista, exists solely for this purpose. Attend impromptu games on street corners, in village squares or cafés, or better still, get initiated, then wow your friends on the way back.
I observe but leave on the spot..
We're all defenders of the animal cause and of the marine environment, so coral belongs on the ocean floor, and colored sand on the beach. Any object made from turtle shells that could encourage poaching (remember that turtles are endangered and protected) should be avoided. Finally, to respect the ecosystem, we don't pick plants or flowers during our walks, as they are rare, precious and much more beautiful in nature.
