Original Story Published by: Staff Writer for Africa News
Photo Source: ©Africa News
Cape Verdean immigrants have transformed one of the poorest and most neglected neighbourhoods in Portugal into a little piece of haven reminiscent of their island home nation of Cape Verde off Africa’s west coast.
Long considered a no-go area by Lisbon residents, Cova da Moura is a warren of small streets where Cape Verdeans make up two-thirds of the 6,000 residents. They celebrate their home, a tiny archipelago off Africa’s west coast, with music, food and street art – which tourists increasingly want to experience.
“Sometimes the only thing people know about Cova da Moura is the negative side,” said Paulo Cabral, 36, who was born locally to Cape Verdean parents. “But that isn’t the whole truth.”
Living in Cova da Moura is just like living in Cape Verde.
Sitting metres away from the tiny room where he grew up, Cabral, who now organises tours of Cova da Moura, said contact with its people helps change perceptions.
He jokingly calls Cova da Moura a “more developed area” of Cape Verde.
“When you visit once you keep on coming back.”
His tours cost 5 euros per person, and are most popular with tourists to Portugal, particularly from Germany. A typical Cape Verdean lunch on the tour costs 7.50 euros.
Cova da Moura’s simple brick and concrete dwellings stretch across 16 hectares of hills on the outskirts of the capital.
The area remains notorious within Portugal for its crime rate and a trial over alleged police brutality. Seventeen officers at a local police station have been charged with torture, kidnapping, falsifying reports and other crimes.
Police declined to comment as the trial is ongoing.
To read the full article, visit Africa News.
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