Cape Verdean culture was on full display as the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth celebrated its first Cape Verdean Culture Day on April 7.

Afternoon lectures from keynote speaker and Cape Verde ambassador to the United States Carlos Wahnon Veiga gave way to a nighttime banquet featuring Cape Verde cuisine, dance and music.

Organized by the university and the Cape Verdean Student Association, the room was packed with both those of Cape Verdean descent, and those with an affinity for culture. Club president Aruedy Dias said the intent is to create an atmosphere of learning and sharing of culture.

“We want to show our culture to all students,” Dias explained.

The dinner menu included kachupa – a traditional stew – and a variety of traditional and modern dance. Dias wanted to provide entertainment suitable for everyone, so he included performances of more traditional passada, funana and mazurka, plus modern afro house music and dance.