Ferro Gaita, a premier Cape Verdean band, has been revolutionizing the sound of roots music from the island of Santiago for the last ten years. The group, comprised of six members, gets its name from the ferro, a metal scraper, and the gaita, a diatonic accordion, which together produce the fast tempo style funana. The style originated on the island of Santiago and was created by the farmers living on the interior of the island. The music features a hard driving beat of the ferro and the smooth melody of the accordion. Song lyrics often focus on themes from the countryside life such as the hardships of farming in a drought ridden country, the need to emigrate as a mode of survival and the pre-independence oppression of the Portuguese colonial system. The politically and socially charged lyrics as well as the close partner dancing that accompanies the genre led the Portuguese government to outlaw the playing of funana in public places throughout the colonial regime which was toppled in 1975.

Despite the prohibition, funana survived and it became a strong symbol that represented the undying spirit and culture of the people of Cape Verde. Throughout the 1960's and 1970's the style underwent major changes when the group Bulimundo introduced electric instruments to the style. Modern instrumentation and Cape Verde's victory in the revolutionary struggle uplifted funana to the status of national traditional music along side internationally known genres such as morna and coladeira. However, throughout the 1980's and early 1990's, Cape Verde experienced an explosion in its popular music scene with the overwhelming popularity of cabo zouk. It wasn't until in 1996 when Ferro Gaita came on the scene that funana was put back on the map and it reclaimed its position as the dance music of choice for young people.

When the group formed in 1996, it was originally comprised of three members, Iduino on gaita and lead voice, Bino on ferro and lead voice and Adão on bass. The result was a revival in Cape Verdean roots music from Santiago as their dynamic format enhanced the genre's popularity. In June, 1997, the group recorded their first CD entitled "Fundu Baxu" (Deeply Rooted) in Holland which featured the Santiago roots music of funana and batuko. The CD went on to be the top-selling release in Cape Verde for the year and the band toured extensively throughout Cape Verde, West Africa and Europe. In 1999 they recorded their second CD, "Rei di Tabanka" (King of Tabanka), which expanded the band's repertoire to include tabanka, another roots style from the interior of Santiago that is associated with rituals of African spirituality. Again, this CD was a smash hit in Cape Verde and its extended diaspora in Europe, Brazil and the United States.

Following the success of the sophomore release, Ferro Gaita went back to the studio in 2001 and recorded "Rei di Funana" (King of Funana), which was released in Europe and Cape Verde. The CD was backed by a European tour performing shows with Cape Verde's Barefoot Diva, Cesaria Evora. In 2003 the band completed their third disc, "Bandera Liberdadi" (Flag of Freedom), which incorporated tabanka reza and ladainha. Their updated use of traditional Santiaguense music made this CD an instant classic both in Cape Verde and throughout Europe. In true Santiago style, the band engages its listeners with themes of countryside life, politics and the state of economic and social affairs. To support the release, Ferro Gaita set out on yet another tour of Cape Verde, Europe, Africa, the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. In 2006, the band marked their ten-year anniversary with the release of their live CD/DVD box set entitled "Finkadu na Raiz" (Standing Firm in Our Roots). Their revolutionary style continues to make them a crowd favorite and their electrifying performances prove that no one does it quite like Ferro Gaita. Their energy, style and commitment to the culture of Santiago have been a major force in the revitalization of the roots music of Cape Verde. Rocking stages from Paris to New Orleans with their high-energy performances, Ferro Gaita has earned its well deserved position as Cape Verde's favorite band.

Contributed by: Marcy S. DePina