Outside, visitors are swaying to the sounds of New Bedford-born Cape Verdean vocalist Candida Rose. She became the packet trade ship back and forth from here to Cape Verde,” Burgo said.ĬAI Dancers demonstrate capoeira, a mix of martial arts and dance developed in Brazil. “They refitted her enough to get her to New Bedford.
“And I like to just add this in: He borrowed $8,000 from his sister - always the woman behind the man!” she said with a hearty laugh. She talks about Cape Verde gaining its independence from Portugal, and about important figures in the local Cape Verdean community.īurgo tells the story of how the Ernestina came to the South Coast, when a Cape Verdean immigrant, Captain Henrique Mendes, bought the ship after it suffered a fire. If you remember how much you loved your grandmother, that's why.”Ĭo-founder and curator Barbara Burgo is giving a tour of the museum.
Leite says there’s also a military room and a room dedicated to the schooner Ernestina, a packet ship known for bringing Cape Verdean immigrants to these shores.Īnd, he says, there’s Nana’s kitchen, designed to look like a Cape Verdean kitchen from his grandmother’s day.
Inside, exhibits show local Cape Verdean history. CAI Museum curator and co-founder Barbara Burgo talks about the exhibits during the grand opening of the Cape Cod Cape Verdean Museum and Cultural Center.
