Boston’s maritime history connected it early to Cape Verde. From the late 1700s to early 1800s, American whaling ships regularly recruited skilled sailors from the Cape Verde islands—then a Portuguese colony—bringing the first Cape Verdeans to New England. Many settled in ports like New Bedford and gradually spread to Boston. In the mid‑1800s, drought and colonial hardships pushed even more Cape Verdeans to the U.S., while the 1924 National Origins Act slowed migration until the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act reopened the door.
When Cape Verde gained independence on July 5, 1975, migration surged again. In 1980, Boston was home to about 2,440 Cape Verdeans; by 2024, that number had grown to around 8,825. Today, Cape Verdeans are Boston’s largest African immigrant group and the sixth-largest foreign-born community, with deep roots in Roxbury and Dorchester.
Community institutions like the Cape Verdean Association of Boston (founded 2000) and the Pedro Pires Institute for Cape Verdean Studies at Bridgewater State University highlight this growing influence. Since 1987, the annual celebration of Cape Verdean Independence takes place at City Hall Plaza every July 4–5, showcasing culture, music, and food to both residents and tourists.
Boston & Cape Verde Dialogue (30+ lines)
Boston Speaker: Hey, how’s it goin’? Chilly out there today, huh?
Cape Verde Speaker: N ta bem (I’m good). But wow, frio demais (too cold)! Back home, it’s all sun.
Boston Speaker: Ha! Boston winters are no joke. Ever shoveled snow before?
Cape Verde Speaker: Nunca (never). In Cabo Verde, we only sweep sand!
Boston Speaker: Lucky you! So, what do you miss most from home?
Cape Verde Speaker: Catchupa (slow-cooked stew with corn and beans) and pastel (fried pastry with fish or meat).
Boston Speaker: Sounds legit. We got clam chowder here, that’s our comfort food.
Cape Verde Speaker: Chowder? I’ll try it. But I need grogue (sugarcane rum) too!
Boston Speaker: Grogue? That’s strong stuff, huh? We’d grab a cold Sam Adams.
Cape Verde Speaker: Sam Adams? Bom bebida (good drink). But grogue é tradição (is tradition).
Boston Speaker: Fair enough. So, what slang do you use with friends?
Cape Verde Speaker: If I say “N ta fixe,” it means I’m cool. And “Tudo dretu” means everything’s good.
Boston Speaker: Nice! We’d say “solid” or “on point” for that.
Cape Verde Speaker: On point? I like that. And if I greet you “Tudo dretu?” you answer “Tudo dretu!”
Boston Speaker: Tudo dretu! Got it. So, what do you think of Boston food?
Cape Verde Speaker: Lobster roll is good, but I still crave more peixe grelhado (grilled fish).
Boston Speaker: We got fish, but not like your style. You’ll find Cape Verdean spots in Dorchester.
Cape Verde Speaker: Bom saber (good to know). And what’s a packie?
Boston Speaker: Liquor store. We say packie.
Cape Verde Speaker: Back home, just “loja” (shop). Simple!
Boston Speaker: Ha! Love learning these differences.
Cape Verde Speaker: Same here. Next time, let’s eat catchupa and chowder together.
Boston Speaker: Deal! These chats are classic.
Solid / On point / Classic: Boston slang for excellent
N ta bem: I’m good
Frio demais: Too cold
Nunca: Never
Catchupa: Traditional Cape Verdean stew with corn, beans, and meat
Pastel: Fried pastry with fish or meat
Grogue: Sugarcane rum
Bom bebida: Good drink
É tradição: Is tradition
N ta fixe: I’m cool
Tudo dretu: Everything’s good
Peixe grelhado: Grilled fish
Loja: Shop
Packie: Boston slang for liquor store