Festival Kreol

About Festival Kreol

Every year, during the last week of October, as the last gust of the South East Monsoon winds expires over the Seychelles archipelago, the capital of Victoria explodes in colourful celebrations. It is the time when the Seychellois people, a cosmopolitan brew of many races, abandon themselves to a week of cultural exultation, and the island of Mahé becomes a seething cauldron of Creole activities.

It is a Festival that celebrates the preservation and promotion of our cultural customs in a world where the inexorability of globalization threatens to obliterate national traditions. Indeed, it is a manifestation of our pride in our African, Asian and European heritage. And the lucky visitor who happens to be here during the festival will certainly have a fascinating glimpse into the mystique of this small island nation, ethnic groups. Thus we celebrate our cultural patrimony in its fullness: musical, culinary, dress, language and dance.

There is also an evening of ‘Lafoli lanmod’, a fashion show where Seychellois girls show off the charms of tropical glamour with not just the versatility of batik parreos! The food fairs seduce even the most uncompromising European of taste buds! The whole gamut of Creole cuisine is offered: from sausage pilau, grilled snapper (with chili of course) to octopus’ curry cooked with coconut milk and cinnamon. The essence of traditional creole music and dance that is distinctly and recognizably Seychellois Creole is the ‘Kamtole’- this is a social evening during which several dances are performed, with the highlight being the kontredans (contredance). Of course, the moutia is one sensual aspect of our creole culture. This is the invariably nocturnal dance where a bonfire is lit to heat the drum made of cow hide. The rhythm is intoxicating. A night of musical performances from various local groups as well as our friends from other creole –speaking countries. A Sunday picnic is organized on one of our resplendent beaches where a large segment of the Seychellois population comes to enjoy their ‘Dimans Kreol’ (Sunday by the seaside). Visitors and tourists are thrilled by this particular activity.

The climax of the Creole festival is the’ bal bobes’ which is certainly an event in itself a cultural revelry. This is an evening of traditional dancing organized by the committee or by a private. It starts early in the evening and ends at dawn, with soup being served at midnight! Yes, the month of October presents our visitors with opportunities to appreciate and enjoy various aspects of our creole culture, and experience the exuberance and vivacity of the creole spirit. The creole festival is an annual cultural expression that certainly leaves an eternal impression!