Funaná: National Intangible Cultural Heritage
Funaná, a Cape Verdean musical style, most common on the island of Santiago, was classified as National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Cape Verde, in homage to its “guardians” and practitioners, according to a government ordinance that came into force today.
The framework of the decision is well established and fully in accordance with the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, approved by UNESCO in 2003 and ratified by Cape Verde in 2008, with the guidelines of the Legal Regime of Cultural Heritage and Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005).
According to a Government statement, this classification is also a tribute to the “great names” of this traditional musical genre who, over several generations, have allowed its perpetuation and transmission.
Funana
Funaná is a traditional musical genre, genuinely Cape Verdean, probably originating in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is considered one of the greatest references in traditional Cape Verdean music, alongside other genres such as batuco, finason, tabanca, morna, coladeira, colá São João and talaia bass.
It is also one of the cultural manifestations that reflects the social and cultural lifestyle of Cape Verdeans, particularly the peasants in the interior of the island of Santiago, allowing for the desired social cohesion. It is a binary rhythm, between fast and slower, dancing, associated with the accordion, better known as harmonica in Cape Verde.
Funaná's roots go back to the times of slavery in Cape Verde, when Africans brought from West Africa brought their musical traditions with them. The pulsating rhythm and traditional instruments, such as the accordion, guitar and ferrinhos, were incorporated into Cape Verdean music, giving rise to Funaná.
Originally, Funaná was played at parties and community celebrations, such as weddings, baptisms and religious festivities. The lively music and energetic dance moves have become a form of cultural expression for the Cape Verdean people, providing a way to celebrate and share their identity.
Over the years, Funaná has evolved and adapted to social and cultural changes in Cape Verde. However, even with the influence of other musical styles, Funaná maintained its essence and authenticity, becoming one of the pillars of traditional Cape Verdean music.
The acknowledgment
Funaná is much more than just a musical genre. It is a cultural expression that represents the identity and traditions of the Cape Verdean people. Its importance is evident and its legacy will continue to be celebrated and appreciated for many generations to come.
In recognition of the importance of Funaná, the Cape Verdean government declared it National Intangible Cultural Heritage, seeking to preserve and promote this unique form of expression. Music festivals, workshops and educational programs were created to encourage the learning and practice of Funaná, thus ensuring its continuity and appreciation for future generations.
The recognition of Funaná as National Intangible Cultural Heritage is an important milestone in the preservation and promotion of this unique musical expression of Cape Verde.
Through Ordinance n.9/2024 of April 09, the Cape Verdean government made official the cultural value of Funaná, covering not only the intangible and symbolic dimension of the musical genre, but also the instruments, associated spaces and all recording supports of music, singing and dancing.
This classification is part of a comprehensive program to protect and enhance Cape Verde's historical and cultural heritage for the period 2022-2026.
In this way, the Cape Verdean government, through the Ministry of Culture and Creative Industries, recognizes the importance of preserving memories and traditional know-how, promoting traditions as an added value for communities and generating opportunities for sustainable development .
In addition to safeguarding Funaná as National Intangible Cultural Heritage, the government also seeks to promote its dissemination and appreciation both in the country and abroad. Through programs to encourage research, documentation and dissemination of this musical genre, the objective is to create a collective awareness of the importance of Funaná in Cape Verdean cultural identity.
The Benefits
This classification also brings benefits to the communities that keep the Funaná tradition alive. By being recognized as intangible cultural heritage, Funaná gains visibility and prestige, which can attract more tourists and investments to the regions where this musical genre is practiced.
This, in turn, can generate an additional source of income for Funaná practitioners, contributing to local economic development. Furthermore, this recognition is also an important step in strengthening Cape Verdean identity.
Funaná is a reflection of the history and culture of the Cape Verdean people and, by preserving and valuing this musical expression, the country reaffirms its uniqueness and cultural diversity.
Classification Process
The process of classifying Funaná as National Intangible Cultural Heritage involved extensive technical documentation, inventory and proposals for legal protection. Several actions of various natures were carried out, with the aim of enabling the transmission and perpetuation of Funaná.
This process respected the principles established by the Intangible Heritage Convention, including the principle of continuity of the property and its relevance to memory and cultural identity. Furthermore, it met the criteria of historical-cultural value, community consent and viability/transmission.
One of the requirements of the process was the carrying out of a community-based inventory, with the active participation of the community, holders and practitioners of Funaná. This included harmonica players, iron players, vocalists, dancers and others involved in this cultural practice.
In addition to the inventory, historical and anthropological research was carried out to understand the origin and evolution of Funaná over time. These studies contributed to the appreciation and preservation of this cultural manifestation, providing support for the development of public safeguard policies.
Another important stage of the process was carrying out consultations and dialogues with the community, in order to obtain the consent and active participation of holders of traditional Funaná knowledge. This participatory approach ensured that the classification of Funaná as National Intangible Cultural Heritage was a collective decision, based on recognition and respect for local cultural practices.
After completing all stages of the process, Funaná received official recognition. This recognition brings significant benefits to the community, such as the appreciation of its culture, the promotion of cultural tourism and legal protection against misappropriation and mischaracterization of this artistic expression.
A Tribute and Encouragement
The classification of Funaná as National Intangible Cultural Heritage is also a tribute to the guardians of this practice and to the great names of traditional Cape Verdean music, in particular Funaná. Over several generations, artists such as Toti Lopi, Antão Barreto, Caetaninho, Sema Lopi, Djubensu Mendes, Manito, Nhonhô Duarte, Codé di Dona, among many others that have allowed its transmission and perpetuation.
These artists dedicated their lives to music and Funaná, exploring and improving their musical skills to share this unique cultural expression with the world. By being recognized as guardians of Funaná, these artists receive a well-deserved tribute for their hard work and dedication to preserving this form of expression.
This initiative aims to be a stimulus for the new generation, encouraging them to continue the Funaná tradition. By receiving this official recognition, young musicians are encouraged to explore and experiment with Funaná, keeping this rich cultural heritage alive by becoming the pillars of this tradition and passing on their knowledge and passion to future generations.
Music schools and educational programs can also benefit from this stimulus, by incorporating Funaná into their curricula, offering learning and practice opportunities for interested young people. This way, the new generation will not only learn about Funaná, but also have the chance to be actively involved in its preservation and evolution.
Conclusion
The recognition of Funaná as National Intangible Cultural Heritage is just the first step in this continuous journey. A joint effort by society, government and artists is needed to protect and promote Funaná, ensuring that it remains alive and relevant, preserving this unique cultural expression to be enjoyed and passed on to future generations.
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Picture: © 2024 DR
