The Whale in the Cape Verde Islands: Seascapes as a Cultural Construction from the Viewpoint of History, Literature, Local Art and Heritage

Abstract

Cultural constructions of landscapes, space and environments, and of people’s relationship with nature, have in the Cape Verde Islands a perspective of their own and might have been mediated by the whale. To address perceptions about these marine mammals, historical sources, literature, art, memory and heritage were considered. Whaling influenced history and diaspora and is reflected in literary productions. Remains of whales are found in museums and used as decorative pieces and local art. We found the Cape Verdean seascapes as being culturally and naturally constructed and the whale occupies a true ‘place’ of convergence.

Collecting whales: processes and biases in Nordic museum collections

“…By focusing on collection history and possible biases, this work contributes to the continuous building of knowledge derived from the specimens. Together, this can contribute to ensuring the afterlives of the whales ( Nicolov, 2019 ; Vieira et al, 2020 ) The increased focus on museum specimens hopefully can result both in important science and in the long-time management of these unique objects, which is sometimes lacking resources ( Bakker et al, 2020 ; Boakes et al, 2010 ; Gippoliti et al, 2014 ; Vane-Wright & Cranston, 1992 ).…”

“…1 ) ( Pyenson, 2017 ). Whales appear as different types of objects in natural and cultural history museums, in art or as part of religious practices, as a material in human-made objects, or documented in photographs and in writing ( Vieira et al, 2020 ). This work however, concerns biological specimens in natural history museums, most commonly preserved as skeletons or in liquid in glass jars.…”

Shaping Landscapes: Thinking On the Interactions between People and Nature in Inter- and Postdisciplinary Narratives

“…Through depicting Cape Verde seascapes, formed both by people and the ocean, Noronha clearly shows that this landscape is not limited to what is visible (Berque 2000 and highlights how disciplinary boundaries can be deconstructed. The seascapes of this African archipelago can also be seen as places where not only people but the history, heritage and physical presence of whales, and moreover, intangible memories, engage to co-construct an historical and current identity (this issue, Vieira et al 2020). Images can play an important role in changing individual behavior and public policy; there is a potential powerful influence in art production and viewing that can boosts awareness and stimulate actions.…”

“…They emerge not just in history, but also in marine science and environmental conservation, in literature and poetry, in teaching and dissemination. They show us that a past of the appropriation of nature has been left behind, and a change has occurred, transforming the seashore into a place of convergence (Vieira et al 2020).…”

“…These entangled ecologies, cultures, realities and memories (Krenak 2019;Asberg 2020;Vieira et al 2020) allow humans to reconnect with these landscapes and to reimagine futures and transformative practices of environmental humanities. Within future landscapes, art, science and society intermingle.…”