BATUQUE

In 1462, the first African slaves arrived to Cape Verde brought by the Portuguese settlers. They brought with them the rhythms and the roots of what became the BATUQUE: a women’s music and sensual dance. The singers repeat very strong lyrics, sitting in a circle and beating the rhythm with their hands on a piece of cloth between their legs while a woman performs a very sensual dance with her hips in the middle of the circle. The Batuque accompanies every moment of the day in the island. The beat is constant. And the women are laughing.

Documentary
52’
Betacam

Original languages
Creoule, Portuguese

Available subtitles
Portuguese, English, French

Director
Julio Silvão Tavares

Producer
Luís Correia and Marie-Clémence Paes

Year of Production
2007