Cape Verdean Culture in New Bedford
Cape Verdean culture can be experienced across the City of New Bedford through art, cuisine, and cultural events. In 2023, the City designated the month of July as Cape Verdean Heritage Month. This expanded upon Cape Verdean Recognition Week which centers around Cape Verdean Independence. Full independence was achieved in Cabo Verde on July 5, 1975. New Bedford’s Cape Verdean Recognition Parade is held on the Saturday closest to that date. There are a variety of cultural events including music and special dinners during the week leading up to the parade.
Morna Lounge and Grill – The Name
Brothers Mateus Barbosa and Salo Afonseca opened Morna Lounge & Grill on Acushnet Avenue, or “The Ave” as it is referred to by locals, on March 5th, 2021. Their specialties are Cape Verdean cuisine, colorful drinks like the Caipirinha cocktail flight, live music, and events celebrating the rich culture of Cape Verde.
Barbosa’s dream to share the culture of Cape Verde through music and food is captured in the name of the business, Morna, which pays homage to the soulful music and dance genre from Cape Verde. When asked how they came up with the name, Barbosa explained, “My brother and I were just having the conversation over and over again, and one day we were driving around and Morna came about. The goal was to come up with a name that will connect the community, something where folks will go, yes that’s something Cape Verdean.”
The themes of morna music focus on love and longing for both people and place, tied to nostalgia for homeland and the sea which is both a place of separation and reunion. At Morna Lounge and Grill, the flavors and sounds of Cape Verde create a space for the community to celebrate their culture, whether at dinner with friends and family or hosting an event on-site. For those not familiar with Cape Verdean culture, this is a great place to try authentic dishes like Pastel de Milho, Cape Verdean-style fried pastel with savory tuna, or Toresma com Mandioca, marinated fried pork belly with golden fried yucca. “We don’t just serve the Cape Verdean community, we also try to serve Hispanic, Portuguese, and the entire New Bedford community,” Barbosa notes.
Cape Verdean Cuisine at Morna
What is the most popular dish? Barbosa cites octopus served up Cape Verdean style and Cabritada, which is roasted goat, famous in Cape Verdean cuisine. We recommend visiting for the first time with a group of friends or family so that you can try several versions of their Katxupa (Cachupa), which is recognized as the national dish of Cabo Verde.
Cachupa is a slow-cooked stew made with variations from island to island. Most include some combination of hominy, beans, meat or seafood, cassava, sweet potato, and vegetables, particularly leafy greens. The stew will remain on the stove most of the day, slowly simmering. Leftovers are often refried the next morning with the addition of an egg, Cachupa Rafugado.
New Bedford’s North End Food Tour
For the food lover looking for a culinary adventure, a unique way to experience Morna Lounge and Grill is on the New Bedford Food Tours North End Tour, which takes you to several restaurants on The Ave. Take it from Barbosa who explains, “The Ave has a good vibe; it’s very diverse and you can walk two steps down the street and there’s a Hispanic restaurant, a Portuguese restaurant. It’s a very diverse neighborhood and that makes it rich in culture.”
