Mandinga, Mindelo

In January en February 2026 I documented the Mandinga in Mindelo: an important cultural tradition in Cabo Verde, closely connected to Carnaval. In the weeks leading up to Carnaval, the Mandinga groups parade through the streets of Mindelo every Sunday. Dressed like warriors, with their skin painted black and spears in their hands, they dance through the city for hours. As the parade progresses, more and more people join in the crowd, and the energy becomes increasingly exuberant.

I had the opportunity to witness three of these Sunday parades and was completely captivated by their intensity: the uplifting rhythm of the drums, the energetic and expressive dancing, the facial expressions, the singing and the combative cries. Yet through all this noise and bustle it remains very clear that this parade carries a deeper meaning. It is a powerful celebration of African roots and a tribute to the ancestors - roots that were once severed by colonial brutality. The Mandinga tradition stands as a symbol of pride and a celebration of cultural identity.