Praia’s handicrafts stalls are a window into Cape Verde’s traditional culture, combining its African roots and Portuguese and Oceanic trappings. It’s impossible to visit one of the capital’s markets and not come away with some incredibly colourful fabric, a small ceramic statue or a bottle of grogue, the country’s classic rum.
Handicrafts
All over the country you can find a wealth of crafts made from different materials, such as ceramic, stone, wood and even volcanic rock. In fact, some of the loveliest gifts you can find are imitations of traditional houses on the island of Fogo made from lava and straw.
Straw, reed and banana fibre are widely used to make all kinds of baskets, different sized mats, hats and decorative items. Many of these handmade products bear some kind of geometric pattern that often appears on famous Cape Verdean fabric.
Some of the most popular items among tourists are the straw ragdolls representing, among others, women carrying children on their backs, fishermen and even pirates. If you would like to take home some pottery from the country, keep in mind that the pieces are very characteristic as they are made according to the islands’ tradition of hand painting them with colourful designs.
They include plates, cups, bowls, vases and much more as well as tiles with different motifs that make great purchases if you can find the best way to transport them. Other handicrafts that always make a great souvenir are paintings or prints, usually depicting landscapes or urban scenes as well as traditional cultural elements. In this case, you can buy them in Praia’s galleries.
Traditional figures and statues
At craft stalls it is common to find statues of women in scenes of everyday life made from ceramic, wood or stone. Many of these figures appear holding a baby or a basket of fruit or balancing a jug of water on their heads.
You can find more realistic as well as more simplified figures, but all of them uphold the true essence of their traditions through their traditional clothing and many rituals that make Cape Verde unique. Some of these traditional figures can also be found in the form of reliefs on a flat surface that can be hanged on the wall or on a piece of furniture.
Fashion
The stamp of African tradition is highly visible in Cape Verde by way of the colourful fabric used to make suits, dresses and oversize shirts. In this case, craftspeople have been weaving rugs and strips of fabric by hand for centuries using natural fibres such as cotton, wool and the famous sisal, which is very typical of the island. One of the most common souvenirs you can buy in Praia is therefore a colourful dress with geometric patterns, a shirt or trousers with a top, which has also become very fashionable. You can also find handbags, wallets and fabric bags with the same cheerful prints.
Must-visit markets in Cape Verde
On all the islands there is a market where you can find stalls with artisans selling their treasures. In Praia, Sucupira Market is a must-visit. A type of African souk with narrow, labyrinth alleyways, you will find whatever you want to take home in your suitcase as a souvenir of Cape Verde.
Among the stalls are those selling fabrics in a range of colours, statuettes, paintings, hats and real treasures made from sisal that are perfect for decorating your home. You can also haggle with the vendors, who usually offer their handicrafts at a cheaper price than what you can find in stores in the city centre.
Another great option for souvenir shopping, also in Santiago, the second largest city on the island, is Assomada Market. Housed in an old building, it is divided into one floor for food vendors, where you can find all kinds of tropical fruits and drinks, and another for craft stalls. The most traditional items you can find are dresses, handbags, purses and bags made of fabrics with the colours of Cape Verde.
If you are visiting São Vicente, you cannot miss Mindelo Municipal Market, where you can also eat traditional Cape Verdean dishes and, although you won’t find any gifts, stroll through the fish section to see the variety on offer daily.
