Acácia Maior
Cape Verdean collective mixing tradition and fusion
Based in Lisbon, Portugal
Acácia Maior moves through Cabo Verdean song forms with a flexible ensemble setup: morna, funaná, coladeira, mazurca, tabanka and batuku are all part of the palette. The music can open from voice-and-string intimacy into fuller brass-and-percussion arrangements, with the Lisbon base bringing a more transnational frame to the material.
More about Acácia Maior
The project was created by Henrique Silva and Luís Firmino, who act as its guiding force. It sits in the Cape Verdean musical horizon while staying tied to the diaspora in Portugal and the Netherlands, and their releases have come out on Tabanka Records.
A story
At the heart of the project, Henrique Silva and Luís Firmino are described as the roots and trunk of the tree.
Playing
- 2026-11-07 2026-11-07T17:50:00 · Acácia Maior · De Helling
Start here
- Catá Bórre (2024) · Tabanka Records
Good for hearing the Cape Verdean-rooted groove.
Worked with
- Henrique Silva band member
- Luís Firmino band member
For fans of
Cesária Évora, BongaOfficial links
Plan Le Guess Who? 2026 with Songpot · Ask about Acácia Maior in ChatGPT or Claude