Mindelo says Goodbye to their Barefoot Diva

Cesaria Evora, known as the Barefoot Diva, passed away just before Christmas in Sao Vicente. While she may no longer be here, she will certainly not be forgotten. Her beautiful unique voice will continue to play on the radio and her songs will remain as the soundtrack of Cape Verde.

I had the honor of meeting her in 2009 at the inauguration of the SOS. The funny this was, I was so preoccupied with making sure I greeted everyone correctly ( I kept saying “Bem vindo” – welcome, over and over in my head so I would perfect it by the time the President came in), that when I met her I didn’t even recognize her! I am still embarrassed to say that I shook Cesaria Evoras hand but didn’t even know it was her! After my colleague came up to me, telling me how great it was that I just met Cesaria and I distinctly remember saying “Wait, Cesaria is here!” Well, I gave myself some credit since I was still new to the islands but it is a memory I will always have of her.

At the Baia das Gatas Festival of 2009, I got to hear Cesaria sing for the first time. She mostly played in Europe, specifically France where she lived, so we felt very lucky to have seen her live. Her sweet voice had the whole crowd singing and dancing.

Her funeral brought the same crowds that frequented her concerts. And just as they would at a concert, they sang and danced behind her as they walked from the city center to the cemetery. Her followers mostly sang her famous song "Sodade," a word which does not translate directly but describes the nostalgic feeling and longing one has for loved ones who have left, something that is dear to the hearts of Cape Verdeans, since every person living here has at least 2 relatives abroad.

The following obituary published this week in the Economist is the best obituary I have found. I think it really captures who Cesaria was and what she meant to not only her compatriots but also to her fans abroad. She will certainly be missed! As she sang best "Oi tont sodade, sodade sem fim."