Culture of the Seychelles

The Seychelles Islands’ culture has been influenced by European settlers, Asian traders as well as the African slaves who first inhabited the island. The Creole language spoken by the happy-go-lucky Seychellois is a reflection of this mix. Creole is heavily influenced by French, the basic structure is based on the Bantu language, with a sprinkling of Asian words.

Musically the culture of the Seychelles Islands also borrows from the African, European and Asian continents. The Moutia has men playing drums while the women sing and dance around a bonfire, exactly as the slaves did in the past to vent their frustrations. The more classy ‘contre danse’ has the French colonisers stamp all over it; with a live band playing waltzes among many other pieces.

Locals, openly admit the culture of the Seychelles has been influenced by the country’s past although in modern times, all three have managed to mix to make quite an exotic blend. To someone new to the creole culture, the whole experience of the Seychelles culture is one that can be a breath of fresh air. From its food to its music, there is a feeling that it has not been violently hit by globalisation. This is especially portrayed by the locals’ open and friendly attitude; which is a very endearing and important part of the culture of Seychelles.

To experience the culture of the Seychelles, one must simply attend one of the evenings hotels in the Seychelles dedicate to the local culture. Fairy Land Hotel and Restaurant for instance holds a buffet evening which is popular among visitors and tourists alike.

This is when the finest Creole cuisine is served –including all fish based dishes such as grilled red snapper and lobster curry- to a back drop of creole music and dances while the house band provides all the moutia tunes for the evening. It is one full of rhythmic swaying to the beat of drums, and the visitors throwing all cautions to the wind to join in the fun.

It would be appreciated even better by the visitors who manage to get a Seychellois to translate the words to the songs which more often than not take on humorous slants on life’s daily problems; especially those concerning matters of the heart.

The culture of Seychelles also includes paintings and other craftwork readily available for view at the curio shops and crafts village among others.