Baleia/Brava: A forgotten village frozen in time

In the interior of the Eastern Center of the enclave Brava Island, we find the iconic, but forgotten village of Baleia. With basalt stone houses, Baleia is located on a hillside, with Mato Grande and Garça as neighboring villages.

Without an access road and with a poor population, living from agriculture and cattle raising, Baleia was relegated to neglect by successive municipal and national entities.

Deceived with many promises, ranging from the construction of an access road, passing through a kindergarten built from scratch, employment and training for young people, the population of 48 souls is incredulous and very discouraged.

Contacted, residents were doubtful about the possibility of the locality undergoing profound changes in its course of development and said they were tired of so much asking and claiming something that never was and will never be done.

Baleia hides great potential, little noticed by those who were responsible for creating paths for its development and, today, the result of neglect, disinvestment and lack of political will, the locality is condemned to shelter a few children, a few young people and a handful of elderly people , which have nostalgia, when whale "was Whale".

Rich in secular traditions and stunning landscapes, this village suggests the richness of a heritage magnificently represented by its warm inhabitants. Today, silence invades the space, once occupied by epic parties, great popular dances, which demonstrated Baleia's strength, joviality and “sabura”.

Before a location where busy weekends were enjoyed, a meeting point for people from various locations and the perfect setting for a break from the day-to-day routine and recharge batteries, today Baleia lives with a deafening silence, where the few people that remain , clamor for more attention.

Baleia, unfortunately, follows the path of depopulation, killing people's hopes for new investments once and for all. The road remained a dream and the commitment to raising animals and agriculture died in its infancy. Whale where Eugénio Tavares stopped on his many trips to Praia D'Agua…. Nho Neto Whale…. Whale of Nha Diminga, Whale of Nha Rosa, Nho Digar… Whale of Djedje de Analia, Nha Belmira and Nha Mey, Whale of Nho Garcia…. Zé Carlos, Joel... stayed in the past, where the present tries to find strength, in an inglorious struggle to keep the faith in better days.

Although politicians claim that Baleia has made great strides in recent years, as a result of investments in education, training, sports, agriculture and animal husbandry, residents, those who live with the challenges on a daily basis, say they cannot see the real impacts on people's lives. people.

It remains to be said that, of the four dozen souls who face the daytime difficulties of a locality that is taking big steps towards depopulation, how many will be left in a decade? Only the future can enlighten us.