Funaná

The funaná is a special kind of music and dance from Cape Verde. It uses an accordion as the main instrument, which gives the music its unique sound.

Along with the accordion, funaná often includes a small metal instrument called the ferrinho, which adds rhythm to the music. This is similar to how other music styles use different tools to keep the beat.

Funaná is loved by many people and is an important part of the culture of Cape Verde. It brings people together to dance and celebrate.

Characteristics

The funaná is a type of music from Cape Verde that uses the accordion as its main instrument. The music has a steady beat and often uses simple musical scales. Singers may copy the sound of the accordion.

Funaná songs usually tell stories about everyday life, happiness, and challenges. They sometimes also talk about society and life in general. The words in these songs are often clever, using proverbs and popular expressions. This makes them fun to listen to and understand.

Traditionally, funaná music only used an accordion and a special instrument called a ferrinho to keep the rhythm. Over time, other instruments like drums, guitars, and synthesizers have been added. But recently, people have gone back to the older style using just accordions and ferrinhos.

As a dance

Funaná is a dance for couples. The partners hold each other with one arm and hold hands with the other arm. They move by quickly bending their knees to the music's rhythm. In rural areas, dancers lean forward and lift their feet. In cities, the dance is more formal, with dancers standing straight and dragging their feet on the ground.

History

The funaná is a newer type of music from Cape Verde. It began in the early 1900s on the island of Santiago when people started using accordions to play music. They created their own unique sound instead of copying Portuguese styles. The name "funaná" likely came in the 1960s or 1970s from two musicians named Funa and Naná.

For a long time, funaná was mostly played in rural areas by people from less wealthy backgrounds. It was even banned in the capital city, where a different style of music called morna was more popular. But in the 1980s, a musician named Carlos Alberto Martins, also known as Catchás, helped bring funaná back. He mixed traditional funaná with jazz and classical music, using electric and electronic instruments. His band, Bulimundo, helped spread funaná to all the islands of Cape Verde.

In the 1990s, funaná started to become known outside of Cape Verde, thanks to the band Finaçon. Today, funaná is enjoyed by people all over the world, and some bands now use more traditional instruments like accordions and ferrinhos.

Variants

The funaná has several different styles. Some of these styles are not very well known. Here is a description of a few of these styles.

Funaná kaminhu di férru

This is the most famous style of funaná. When people just say "funaná", they usually mean this style. It is very popular for dancing. It sounds a bit like a march but played at a lively pace.

Funaná maxixi

The name of this style probably comes from a musical genre called maxixe. This style sounds similar to the one above but is played at a faster pace.

Funaná samba

Even though it is called "samba", this style is not related to the modern Brazilian genre samba. It seems to be a version of lundum played using accordion methods. It has a slower pace and a different rhythm from the other styles, sounding a bit like toada.

Funaná morna

This style is not often called by this name and is more commonly known as slow funaná. It appears to be a version of morna played using accordion methods, also at a slower pace. For a long time, morna was popular in cities and fancy dance halls. In the countryside, people developed a slower version of funaná. This style has the same pace as the Boa Vista morna but not the Brava morna.

Examples of funanás

Here are some examples of funaná songs and the artists who performed them:

• Funaná kaminhu di férru

  • “Djonsinho Cabral” by Os Tubarões (1978)
  • “Sant’ Antoni la Belêm” by Bulimundo (1981)
  • “Si manera” by Finaçon (1990)
  • “Matrialistas” by Kino Cabral (1992)
  • “Moças di Mangui” by Ferro Gaita (1997)

• Funaná maxixi

  • “Canta cu alma sem ser magoado” by Bana (19??)
  • “Pomba” by Codé di Dona (1997)
  • “Nôs cultura” by Ferro Gaita (2003)
  • “Puxim Semedo” by Eduíno e Petcha (2007)

• Funaná samba

  • “Djentis d’ aságua” by Zezé di Nha Reinalda (198?)
  • “Fomi 47” by Finaçon (1987)
  • “Codjeta” by Simentera (1992)

• Slow funaná

  • “Sema Lopi” by Bulimundo (1980)
  • “Pombinha Mansa” by Bulimundo (1981)
  • “Kortel di rabidanti” by Zeca & Zezé di Nha Reinalda (1983)
  • “Li qu’ ê nha tchon” by Os Tubarões (1990)

Legacy

RIU Hotels opened one of its first resorts and villas in the west of Santa Maria on the island of Sal and named it Riu Funaná after the music genre.

Each year, a top funaná performance is honored at the Cabo Verde Music Awards. This tradition started in 2011.