The country made up of 115 islands celebrates its National Day on June 29, a historic landmark of the country's independence.
Bathed by the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean, Seychelles is a destination for all those looking for a paradise setting. However, the African Archipelago, located on the east coast of the continent, is also characterized by a rich culture with diverse influences and origins. On the day of the country's 46th anniversary of independence, discover the celebration and culture of the islands.
The celebration of the national holiday takes place especially in Victoria, the capital of the country, located on the island of Mahé. The city's streets are decorated with colorful decorations and country flags. There are also presentations by local artists and military parades, following which a fireworks display takes to the skies and delights visitors and citizens.
A former English colony, Seychelles declared its independence on June 29, 1976. Before English domination (from 1810 until independence), the country was under French domination during the XNUMXth century. However, European influences are only part of the country's culture, which is formed mostly by influences from other nations on the African continent and also by Indian and Chinese groups that were part of the colonization process. The result of the sum and mixture of influences is called culture. creole, the typical artistic-cultural expression of the islands.
A symbol of the diversity and communion of cultures is the existence of three official languages: English, French and Creole Seychellois. Most of the younger inhabitants speak three languages and communicate easily with tourists.
Seychellois rhythms and music have strong African characteristics, Sega and Moutya are the most traditional genres, with rhythmic drumming and dances that bear the same names. The Moutya dance is even recognized as an intangible heritage by UNESCO, the first cultural manifestation in the country to obtain such a classification.
The typical gastronomy is the result of both the natural and geographical conditions of the island and the influences of the cultures that formed them. The gastronomy Creole It consists especially of fish and seafood dishes, accompanied by Indian rice, and a lot of seasonings and spices typical of the island. Among the main flavors, vanilla and cinnamon stand out in sweet dishes, in addition to the extensive use of coconut in several typical recipes.
An event that brings together the diverse cultural manifestations of the islands is the Creole Festival, a festival that has been taking place for 35 years on the streets of Victoria. There are several artistic manifestations: presentations of typical music and dances, art exhibitions, cultural competitions and parades à la Carnaval. There are also presentations of Seggae, a newer rhythm formed by the union of Sega with Reggae.
A more recent, but no less important characteristic of Seychellois culture is the awareness and continuous action in favor of the preservation of the different ecosystems of the Archipelago. The destination is an example in the promotion of sustainable tourism and has about 50% of the land territory as natural reserves and 30% of the maritime territory as protected areas. Furthermore, in schools, various initiatives are promoted so that environmental education is taught as a fundamental value from childhood.
For more information about the destination, visit www.seychelles.com/home.
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