Tabanka

Tabanka is a fresh Cape Verdean group from Rotterdam, whose music has been inspired by that of Cape Verdean artists from an older generation, such as Code di Dona, Bulimundo, Américo Brito and of course Bitori.

The group has an energizing and contemporary take on funaná: the upbeat, energetic and festive music and dance style, once forbidden by the Portuguese colonial rulers, that became part of post-independence Cape Verdean identity in the eighties. Funaná was derived from the music from the descendants of slaves, mixed with contemporary pop and jazz. The base of the funaná are the diatonic accordion (gaita) and the rasping sound of the ferrinho, a notched metal bar played as a Caribbean guiro.

In May 2024 their latest video was released, a song together with the Surinam kaskawina group La Rouge.

If you are in for a party with a tropical twist, Tabanka guarantees you one.

“Best of all was the unbridled kick off that greeted Rotterdam’s Cape Verdeans, Tabanka […]. Tabanka topped all in terms of sheer fizz. The seven lads started like a train and just kept going, bashing out a steamy stew of Funaná. Couples gyrated and gurned and necked beer. Band members climbed speakers (in order to show off their press-up technique) whilst the crowd whooped and whistled and looked around for someone to cop off with. […] it worked big time.” (Richard Foster, Louder Than War)

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