In 1987, the community-based Cabo Verde Television Productions, Inc. (CVTP) was formed in Boston, Massachusetts under the direction of João Rosário , a RIC alumnus. Kontakt was a 30-minute television program produced by CVTP in Pawtucket, Rhode Island between 1987 and 1993. The weekly program aired on the cable television system in Pawtucket and syndicated to various cable systems and WPRI TV-12 (the ABC Television Network affiliate of southern New England).
Kontakt focused on the Cape Verdean community in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. It used the talk show format with interviews and performances by politicians, artists, musicians, academics, activists, poets, and storytellers. The language of the majority of the content in this collection language is Kriolu, with some English and/or Portuguese.
Videocassettes in this collection contain complete episodes of Kontakt, including commercials and public-service announcements. Some videocassettes contain unedited footage related to the Cape Verdean community in New England. Additionally, there is some incidental material from previous off-air recordings, which are not related to CVTP.
Unedited, or raw, footage can be found in this collection. This footage typically is found on the U-matic S cassettes. Some of this footage was used in the production of finished Kontakt programs. The unedited footage is mostly from Cape Verdean related events in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Cabo Verde. Some tapes appear to have been reused and contain unrelated recordings.
João Rosário retains copyright to this collection. Use of the items in this collection is prohibited without prior written permission. Please contact RIC Special Collections for permission regarding the use of collection materials.
The collection is open for research, however, due to the fragile nature of the original media, materials are only accessible in digital format. Digitization is currently in process and not all media may be accessible. Many digitized materials are currently being posted in Rhode Island College’s institutional repository, RIC Digital Collections (digitalcollections.ric.edu). Additional digitized materials are available for viewing in the Special Collections Reading Room.
Cabo Verde TV Productions, Inc. videocassettes, MSS-0071, Special Collections, James P. Adams Library, Rhode Island College.
The collection is arranged in no discernible order.
The collection was donated by João Rosário in 1993. A deed of gift was signed by Rosário at that time, which stipulates he retains copyright to this collection. RIC Special Collections and João Rosário signed a memorandum of understanding in 2023, which allows for the digitization and uploading of content to DigitalCommons@RIC. João Rosário continues to maintain copyright.
This collection was described in 2025 by Andrew Davis, Digital Initiatives Coordinator in Special Collections. Item descriptions are based on the labels on the original physical media, or where possible, from reviewing the content of the videocassettes. The original media labels are not always consistent with actual videocassette content.
Rhode Island College Special Collections holds further collections relating to Cape Verde. Please review the
Tapes have been digitized unless otherwise noted. When a videocassette has a single production date, it is indicated in the “Dates” field. Videocassettes with multiple production dates have the production year[s] in the “Dates” field and specific dates in the “Description” field. Length information is taken from the original videocassette labels and does not reflect digitized content duration.
Tape has not been digitized due to degradation.
The beginning of tape has unrelated content recorded over the begining of the first episode. The second episode, “Ildo Lobo,” was recorded over "Djosinha," (see item 114 and 158) a partial recording remains at the end of the tape.
This item has been digitized and is available at digitalcollection.ric.edu. The program material was filmed in 1985, however the production date on the cassette is 1989 April 4.
This item has been digitized and is available at digitalcollection.ric.edu. This is a U-matic S tape contianing unedited footage.
Written on cassette label "Bad Audio + Video N/W/Bal. Cam JG."; Written production dates are: 1989 July 2, 1987 October; Despite production dates on the cassette, based on the content, it is most likely from 1989.]
This item has been digitized and is available at digitalcollection.ric.edu. This is a U-matic S tape with unedited footage.
Raw footage from Cape Verde Independence celebration at City Hall in Boston, MA. Tape has tracking problems including video dropouts; written on cassette "Beg. Karate."]
Raw footage from Cape Verde Independence celebration at City Hall in Boston, MA.
Raw footage from Cape Verde Independence celebration at City Hall in Boston, MA.
Raw footage from Cape Verde Independence celebration at City Hall in Boston, MA. Includes an interview in Kriolu.
Raw footage from Cape Verde Independence celebration at City Hall in Boston, MA.
Raw footage from Cape Verde Independence celebration at City Hall in Boston, MA.
Tape has not been digitized.
Partial musical performance titled “Hoju Cu Nos” after Len Cabral episode.
Content not produced by CVTP
This item has been digitized and is available at digitalcollection.ric.edu. The first episode is broken into two parts: a video essay about Heritage Day at the Rhode Island State House, and an editorial/review of the book As Ilhas Afortunadas by Basil Davidson. The second half hour contains live performances by five different musical groups.
Audio only.
Tape has some unrelated off-air recordings following Kontakt episode.
Tape not digitized.
Following the episode indicated on the cassette label is about 30 minutes of a partial Kontakt episode (unknown title). Following this is a partial recording from the educational film “The Growing Years,” unrelated to this collection.
Tape has unrelated content following the Kontakt episode.
This videocassette label indicates that it is a backup copy of the listed episode.
First episode is a dub of tape 77.
Tape is dub of the first episode on videocassette 36.
Tape has tracking errors.
Audio only.
This videocassette is labeled as the 'master' copy.
This item has been digitized and is available at digitalcollection.ric.edu. Tape is labeled as ‘master’ copy.
This item has been digitized and is available at digitalcollection.ric.edu. Tape is labeled as ‘master’ copy.
Digitized copy has dropped frames and distortion due to damage to original media. Tape has been spliced. The first half of this tape, which contains 'P.E.P. Program RI College' segment is duplicated on tape 52.
Tape has some tracking issues and distortion, dropped frames.
Logo used in opening credits of CVTP. Produced by Brook Connors at Brown University.
Tape not digitized.
Videocassette is marked as a copy.
This item has been digitized and is available at digitalcollection.ric.edu. This program is followed by a partial episode of The Waltons with off air commercial breaks included. Not related to CVTP collection.
Digitized version has dropped frames.
Videocassette is labeled as copy. There are some tracking issues that cause distortion and dropped frames.
This is a U-matic S tape with unedited camera footage.
Tape has tracking errors, causes distortion and dropped frames, especially toward the end of the tape.
This videocassette is labeled as a 'copy.'
Length: Approximately 60:00
Following the episode there are incomplete clips and a partial episode of Kontakt that is likely titled "Cabo Verde: Video Essay."
This videocassette has no label, and the spine of the videocassette case has little information. The content of the cassette appears to be the ‘master’ copy of the "Valerie Tutson" episode on videocassettes 89 and 119.
The content on this videocassette is a higher quality duplicate of that on videocassette 35.
This videocassette is labeled as ‘master.’ There is a two-part edit of this episode (30 minutes each) on videocassette 14 and videocassette 34.
Length: 29:42
The label on both the videocassette and case is inaccurate. This is a one-hour episode of Kontakt. The content of the tape is Dr. Claire Andrade, which also appears on videocassette 85.
This video is one hour edit that combines videocassette 84 and videocassette 69.]
Contains a short segment containing people-on-the-street style interviews conducted in the Woodlawn area of Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
U-matic S tape (smaller size cassette). Has various title clips and public service announcements (not all complete) used in production of episodes. This videocassette has not been digitized.
A second program, not labeled on the videocassette or case, fills the rest of the tape. It appears to be a recording of a conference, a banner visible in the video reads, "Movimento Para A Democracia."
The second half of this videocassette is a duplicate of “Grupo Acoustico,” from videocassette 97.
The videocassette label indicates that this tape is the 'master.’
The videocassette case is marked 'master.'
Videocassette case is marked 'master.'
This tape is a copy of videocassette 113.
The second half of this videocassette is a copy videocassette of 113.
This videocassette is marked as being a ‘copy.’ The episode contained is also on videocassette 89.
Most of tape is in black and white, unclear if intentional or due to tracking error. Black and white portions have drop out and distortion.
Content does not match label on case or videocassette. Case is labelled "Dr. Lobban."
Videocassette not digitized.
"Jornalistas" also exists on videocassette 109.
The end of this videocassette contains what appears an unfinished edit of an interview with former Pawtucket Mayor Brian Sarault, see videocassette 44 and videocassette 45.
Videocassette not digitized.
The clips on this tape appear to be working cuts or RAW footage. Tape has some dropouts and distortion due to mold and or other degredation. This is a U-matic S videocassette
Videocassette has some distortion and dropouts.
This is a U-matic S videocassette. Audio only, yellow/orange video for entirety of tape.
Videocassette not digitized.
Videocassette not digitized.
Videocassette footage does not match cassette label. Label reads, "WPRI Taped Footage "Close to the Heart."
Note: Video and right channel audio is a Public Service Commercial. Left channel audio appears to match cassette label.
U-matic S tape.
Videocassette not digitized.
Videocassette not digitized.
Appears to have been partially erased. Videocassette not digitized.
This is a VHS tape.
Videocassette not digitized.
Videocassette not digitized.
Videocassette not digitized. Tape labeled as ‘master.’
Tape is labeled as a ‘copy.’
Tape is labeled as ‘master.’
Videocassette not digitized.
U-matic S videocassette.
U-matic S videocassette.
This is a U-matic tape (despite labeling).