music (morna, coladeira)

Morna and coladeira are traditional musical styles from Cape Verde. Morna is a soulful, slow tempo genre often compared to blues, featuring poetic lyrics about longing, love, and homeland, typically accompanied by acoustic guitar, cavaquinho, and vocals. Coladeira, in contrast, is more upbeat and lively, blending rhythmic, danceable melodies with energetic instrumentals, including percussion and brass. While morna evokes nostalgia and emotional depth, coladeira promotes joy and movement. Both styles reflect Cape Verdean culture, blending African, Portuguese, and Brazilian influences, and serve as expressive mediums capturing the islands’ rich history and identity.