19/04/2023
Djunga de Biluca 🕊
13/02/1929 - 17/04/2023
A Cape Verdean ánd Rotterdam legend has passed.
"Een man die vele petten droeg" as we would say in Dutch. Born João Silva, but better known as Djunga de Biluca, or simply Djunga, he played a pivotal role for the Cape Verdean community, within Rotterdam and the diaspora.
On request of Amilcar Cabral, the leader of the Cape Verdean independence movement, Djunga founded Morabeza Records in 1965. Music became the weapon through which they could express their culture, their Cape Verdean nationality, and their resistance against Portuguese colonialism. In turn, Morabeza Records became first Cape Verdean record label and launched the careers of artists such as Bonga and Bana, and saw rhe release of the first record by Cesária Évora.
As one of the first Cape Verdeans to settle in Rotterdam, Djunga welcomed many fellow countrymen in the city. He became consul in 1976, was praised by many for his deeds, but stayed ever humble. For he never forgot where he came from.
Djunga de Biluca was the man that became the focus of my master thesis back in 2020. However, I never got to meet him in person during my research due to the epidemic. After a long time, a physical meeting would finally come. Plans were stalled however, as I learned of Djunga's deteriorating health. He passed away on April 17th 2023, after a brief hospitalization.
We mourn his death, but celebrate his life. Rest in peace Djunga de Biluca. 🙏
