Have you ever heard of the Carnaval in Mindelo, São Vicente? Yes, this is the best known Carnival in Cape Verde, which delights locals and tourists alike. Regardless of the island, Carnaval in Cape Verde is guaranteed fun. But, the one mentioned is undoubtedly the best known.
Learn more about Mindelo’s Carnaval, the most famous Carnaval in Cape Verde.
The Carnival of Mindelo in São Vicente – one of the most important events taking place in Cape Verde
The Carnaval of Mindelo, São Vicente is one of the most important events that take place every year in the country. With more than 100 years of history, it brings together people from all cultural, social, and age backgrounds, contributing to moments of togetherness and good times.
The carnival of São Vicente mixes various influences from different carnivals, both from South America and Europe. This can be seen with the presence of blocos, parades, and samba, an influence of the Brazilian Carnival, as well as costumes and demonstrations aimed at social criticism and satire, and at pranks, as is characteristic of the Portuguese Entrudo.
The Mandingas – unique characters of the Carnival of São Vicente
São Vicente has in the mandingas, one of the oldest and most peculiar traditions of the Carnival of the Archipelago. The mandingas are a carnivalesque creation, which is the representation of a people, with a king, who called himself a mandinga.
The mandingas – created by a well-known and beloved citizen in the 1940s – walked around with a crown of feathers and a stick, asking for money from whoever crossed their path during Carnaval.
Currently the Mandingas start their parades and departures before the Carnival period in January, four Sundays before, to announce the beginning of the festivities soon.
Carnival maintains a vindicatory character, using play to touch on important social points. However, its evolution has caused this part to lose some of its importance, to the detriment of greater revelry and spectacle.
Inspired by the Brazilian Carnaval, dance groups were also created in Mindelo, before the middle of the last century, to compete against each other, to see who was the best in the Carnaval. The baton has been passed on and this tradition also continues, some 80 years after the celebrations began on the island.
Evolution of the Carnival in Mindelo, São Vicente
As the importance of the Carnival of São Vicente grew, and to promote a better organization of the Carnival, a League was created to organize and supervise the activities related to this important point for the island.
The tropical Samba School opens the Carnival parade, usually the night before the main parade.
What started as a set of dances on the island of São Vicente, before acquiring such influences, today is a spectacle that attracts thousands of people, from revelers to the curious, and currently has five groups fighting for the title of parade winner: Flores do Mindelo, Estrela do Mar, Cruzeiros do Norte, Monte Sossego, and Vindos do Oriente.
São Vicente, a fantastic vacation that includes Carnaval
Carnaval is one of the many attractions that São Vicente has to offer. You can also enjoy some time in the city’s museums, and at iconic beaches like Laginha.
If you are in Cape Verde in February and want to have some fun, the Carnaval in Mindelo (or any other island) is an event you must visit.
