REPUBLIC OF CABO-VERDE

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SÃO NICOLAU

Location The island of S.Nicolau is situated to the north of the Archipelago. With a surface area of 346 km2, its widest point in the North/South direction of 25 km is on the western side and its shape is very similar to that of the African Continent, narrowing to the east for a distance of 52 km.

The very active volcanic past of the island is majestically visible  in  Monte  Gordo, the highest  peak of the island with an altitude of 1304 m.  Two separate  clusters  of peaks part from  there,  one in  a  North/South  direction, the  other f rom East to West.  Upon reaching the  sea this succession  of  hills  and  plains  terminates  in  almost sheer cliffs. The valleys on the whole are generally narrow and deep, except  for  the  Vale de  Fajã  which is wide and fertile enough for agriculture to flourish.

History Although  São  Nicolau  was  discovered on  the  6th  of  December 1461, it was o nly during the middle of the XVII  century, when the first village was built in Porto da Lapa, that people began to settle there. However, because of  the  constant attacks by pirates,  the   inhabitants  moved   inland  and  settled  in Ribeira  Brava. Access  to  the  sea  was  obtained  through  the Port of Preguiça in the Bay  of São  Jorge  and in  1818 a  fortress was built there  to defend  the local inhabitants from pirates. Agricultural conditions were  good and the main export at the timewas coffee, which  was  later  replaced by sugar cane.   At the same time, the  fishing   industry  was developed which brought with it the  canning fish industry.  It was  on the island of S.Nicolau that the 1st seminary of the Archipelago  has  established,  on the 5 th  of September 1866.  Open later to lay teaching it  became the centre of evangelization,   spreading the Romon Catholic faith throughout Cabo-Verde and  Western  Africa. It was  also important for the role it played in theCaboverdian culture and its teachings influenced generations for years to come.

Cultural Events Religious Festivais and Processions Of special note are: EASTER Celebrated in the vilíage of Fajã starting with mass, followed by processions  and then games and other forms of entertainment, for example a horse race in which the riders have to pull paper strips from a wooden beam. CARNAVAL After São Vicente, the carnaval celebrations here are considered to be the most animated in the Country. SÃO PEDRO One of the popular Portuguese saints, his anniversary is celebrated with processions and dancing.

Local Customs Dancing is an integral part of all events in S.Nicolau; from the waltz and the square dance with instructions in French, to the typical Portuguese dances. Baptism is also a special event and associated to it is a curious tradition called "guarda cabeça" which literally means, guarding the baby's head from the evil witches until midnight from the sixth to the seventh day, after the day of birth. The way used to frighten off these bad witches is by making a lot of noise and drinking and eating. The traditional weddings are also full of rituals that are observed from the day of engagement to the actual wedding day.

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