The activity of the port of Burela, one of the most prominent in the Cantabrian Sea and the country, has attracted men from various nationalities in search of employment and a better life, and with them, in many cases, their families. Thus, the town became the center of a multicultural society, where currently more than 40 nationalities coexist (Peru, Indonesia, Ghana, Morocco…), with the largest, oldest, and most established community being the Cape Verdean community.

They arrived in Burela in the 1970s when a major factory, Alúmina-Aluminio (now Alcoa), was developing in the area, providing many jobs to the local population. In many cases, they left their jobs at the port and at sea, leaving vacant positions that Cape Verdeans filled, with very good acceptance from the shipowners, known for being good sailors, skilled, and hardworking.

Most of their women sought jobs on land in other economic sectors, while their men spent long periods at sea, as is also the case in Galician families of deep-sea fishermen.

In 2022, there were 411 Cape Verdean men and women registered in Burela (201 women and 210 men). However, the community is estimated to be larger, as there are several generations of Burela residents of Cape Verdean descent and roots who are not recorded in any registry, representing about 10% of the population of the town, which has around 10,000 inhabitants.

The Republic of Cape Verde is a democratic country composed of an archipelago of ten volcanic islands located off the coast of Senegal and about 1,500 km southwest of the Canary Islands. In the past, it was colonized by the Portuguese empire, with the official language being Portuguese, which is also widely spoken. However, the most commonly used language is the Creole, known as Kabuverdianu or simply “criolla” or “Kriolu.” It is the oldest language, a blend of Portuguese, languages of the indigenous peoples of the land, and African languages, with nine dialects depending on the regions.

It boasts rich and diverse landscapes, including mountains, volcanoes, beautiful white sandy beaches, arid areas, and agricultural zones, making it suitable for fishing and tourism. The climate is tropical. Cape Verdean cuisine includes dishes such as “cachupa” (a maize and bean stew), “pastel com diabo dentro” (a type of stuffed turnover), fresh fish, and seafood due to its coastal location.

With a population of approximately 550,000 inhabitants, it is a country with a low per capita income, making it one of the world’s countries with the highest emigration, much like Galicia once was. This phenomenon is known as the “Cape Verdean diaspora.” Quoting Herminia Pernas Oroza, the official chronicler of Burela, “the population scattered around the world is twice as large as the one residing in the islands” (Pernas Oroza, H, 2008, p.331).

The associative fabric of Burela is composed of some associations of immigrants, such as Raíces Peruanas or Cultural Tabanka, whose president is Antonina Semedo, a social activist and prominent local figure, but undoubtedly the most emblematic one is the musical group Batuko Tabanka.

Batuko Tabanka was born within the Cultural Tabanka more than three decades ago and is exclusively composed of women. It takes its name from a variant of the traditional Batuque of Cape Verde, specific to the Santiago island, where the majority of the Cape Verdean population in Burela comes from.. Tabanka is a word in Cape Verdean Creole that refers to a cultural expression that combines music and dance, as Maria explains in the video. It has roots in the history of slavery and resistance in Cape Verde. The batuko is the begged and lined cloth or leather sack that is placed between the legs and energetically and joyfully beaten while singing. The batuko originated from the beats slaves used to give on their chests while dancing, in a time when such a cloth did not exist.

Batuko Tabanka’s purpose is to keep their Cape Verdean culture alive and dignified in Burela, also through their roots music, occasionally mixed with Galician influences. Thus, the name of their latest album, “Djunto Mô,” released in 2011, would be translated as “joining hands,” “helping each other,” or “lending a hand,” clearly referring to the fusion between traditional Cape Verdean music and Galician music, proclaiming brotherhood, respect, and unity between the two peoples. The track “Nós na Burela” (in the video) belongs to the mentioned album. Several renowned Galician artists, such as bagpiper Xosé Manuel Budiño, singer Uxía, singer and instrumentalist Mercedes Peón, and Treixadura, among others, collaborated on the album.

Other social themes they address include emigration, identity, and the situation of women.

Furthermore, they were honored with the Maestras de la Memoria 2020 award.

• Live Music: Batuko Tabanka dance is inherently connected to live music. Musicians play traditional percussion instruments.
• Body Expression and Rhythmic Movements: Batuko Tabanka dance is characterized by expressive and rhythmic bodily movements. Dancers use fluid and passionate movements of the hips, arms, hands, and legs to express stories, emotions, and the essence of Cape Verdean culture.
• Community Participation: Often performed in large groups, Batuko Tabanka dance encourages collective participation. Dancers gather in circles or form lines and execute coordinated movements while interacting with each other and with the musicians.
• Traditional Attire: Dancers often wear traditional costumes that reflect Cape Verdean culture. These costumes may include colorful fabrics, traditional accessories, and elements that enhance the authenticity of the dance and music.
• Narration and Cultural Representation: Batuko Tabanka dance often narrates stories and represents aspects of everyday life in Cape Verde, as well as elements of Cape Verdean culture and history. Through dance, important cultural and social messages are conveyed, as is the case with the Burela group.
• Celebration of Cultural Identity: Batuko Tabanka is a way to celebrate the cultural identity of Cape Verde and honor its history and traditions. It is an artistic and cultural expression that unites the community and strengthens cultural bonds.