Chapter 7: Savings Groups in Cabo Verde

The traditional forms of social solidarity in Cabo Verde are as old as the country. There has always been a spirit of solidarity and mutual assistance among the people, both in agricultural work and in social activities such as weddings, baptisms and popular festivals. For these events, people contribute with their labour (as ‘Djunta mó’) or by offering food and/or money (Pina, 2007).

Traditional forms of social solidarity in Cabo Verde, include, (1) ‘Tabanca’ – a socio-cultural and recreational association which provides mutual aid. It is financed through member contributions (each pays on a monthly basis) and donations. The funds are used for cultural activities and to support members in case of illness, death, agricultural work, construction of houses, etc.; (2) Mutual Assistance Associations, Funerary Associations (e.g. ‘Botu’ and ‘Mitim’), Savings and Credit Associations (e.g. ‘Totocaixa’) – these associations focus on providing support in cases of death or illness; (3) ‘Djuda’ – is a form of solidarity support for activities that require strength or dexterity and which can't be performed by the very young or old or sick or disabled people; (4) ‘Djunta-mon’ – is mutual aid where work performed by a person for someone else is paid back through work of similar nature. Social bonds create mandatory reciprocity, although this is not regulated by law. It occurs mainly among families (father, mother, cousins, nieces, nephews, etc.) with weak economic power Varela (2010).