Talaia-Baxu, Rhythm and Memory

Talaia-Baxu is a musical and dance genre originating in Atalaia Baixo (Talaia Baxu), a locality in the northern part of Fogo Island, in Cape Verde, within the municipality of Mosteiros. While it shares similarities with coladeira, it is distinguished by a unique identity deeply rooted in the popular culture of Fogo.

Originating in the late 19th century, the genre emerged to accompany moments of conviviality, leisure, and community celebration. As a spontaneous and collective expression, it spread throughout the island, becoming one of the cultural hallmarks that best characterizes the way of life of the Fogo people.

Its first recorded performance is believed to have occurred in 1975 with the group Os Apolos on the album Apolos – Recordando. This marked an important milestone in Talaia-Baxu’s transition from the community sphere to professional recording and wider circulation.

Traditional instrumentation includes the violin, guitar, ten-string viola, and cavaquinho, defining a rustic, danceable sound where rhythm and memory move hand in hand.

In 2022, National Talaia-Baxu Day was established. It is celebrated on February 1st, the birthday of Adelina Gomes (known as Bina Manzinha), a major figure and one of the most remarkable exponents of the genre.

February 1st, National Talaia-Baxu Day, provided the opportunity to revisit this topic and correct the factual record following a previous error in my reporting.

Short Notes – Brief observations about places, gestures, and episodes of daily life that time tends to erase.

Manuel Brito-Semedo