From The Horse’s Mouth – Seychelles

Seychelles, officially the Republic of Seychelles, is an archipelago and sovereign state in the Indian Ocean. The 115-island country, whose capital is Victoria, lies 1,500 kilometres (932 mi) east of mainland East Africa. With a population of roughly 94,228, it has the smallest population of any sovereign African country.

After the proclamation of independence from the United Kingdom in 1976, Seychelles has developed from a largely agricultural society to a market-based diversified economy, with agriculture being supplanted by rapidly rising service and public sectors, as well as tourism.

Today, Seychelles boasts the highest nominal per capita GDP in Africa, excluding the French regions. It is one of only a handful of countries in Africa with a high Human Development Index, ranked at 63rd in the world.

When you first meet someone, how do you greet them?

When meeting someone, a common greeting is a handshake. Alternatively, people may opt to kiss each other on the cheek, once on each side of the face.

What languages are spoken in your country?

English and French are the official languages. Official documents are most commonly in English, which is the business language. Creole is widely spoken. It is primarily based on French but laced with English phrases.

What side of the road do people drive on? What do we need to know about driving in Seychelles?

We drive on the left side of the road. Road infrastructure is generally good, and drivers tend to abide by the rules. As the island is small it will take a person less than a day to completely drive around the island from the south to the north. We have a dual carriage system.

In some areas, for example, the southern part of the island and secondary roads, roads tend to be narrower and winding, with sheer drops and hairpin bends. Therefore, drivers must be cautious, especially around bends, as there may be buses coming in the opposite direction. While in Seychelles you always need to carry your driver’s license and identification documents as highway patrol officers conduct regular checks. Drivers must use headlights at night on all roads. Traffic is common in Victoria during rush hour. If the vehicle is left unattended ensure that the trunk and all doors are locked, and the windows are up.

How important is punctuality?

Seychellois are punctual; however, some meetings do start up to 5 minutes late.

Which types of music are popular? Who are some of your most popular musicians?

The music of the Seychelles has African, Madagascan, and European roots and is played on percussion instruments, such as the drums and the tomtom, and on basic stringed instruments. Foreign influences were responsible for introducing the violin and the guitar to the region, both of which now play a significant part in its music.

Popular music in Seychelles stems from both local and international music. Seychellois youth appreciate western pop music (including hits from the U.S. and U.K.), as well as reggae and dancehall music.

For a taste of Seychellois music, listen to Jean Marc Volcy’s Gout Kréol and Tania Lanmour’s Enposib.

Are there any traditional dances?

Yes, there are several, including Sega, with its characteristic swaying of the hips; Moutia, which is accompanied by singing and has an African or Madagascan rhythm; and Kanmtole, which is a classical dance imported from foreign shores, accompanied by banjos, an accordion, and a violin.

Music and dance have always played a major role in the culture of the Seychelles and are still an important part of local festivities. There are lots of song and dance groups in the Seychelles, ranging from traditional local groups to modern jazz, reggae, country, hip-hop, ballad, and classic rock.

• For an example of Seychellois dancing, click here.

 

What traditional festivals are celebrated in your community?

Spiritual festivals include the Feast of Assumption, celebrated each year on 15th August, on La Digue Island. Activities include an open-air mass, march, sports events, and food sales at numerous vendors.

SUBIOS, the Seychelles Festival of the Sea and Seychelles Roundtable Regatta in November are popular, with a focus on preserving the marine ecosystems surrounding Seychelles. The festival includes sports events, family beach activities, performances by international music artists, and food stalls.

Festival Kreol, in October, offers locals and visitors a fascinating week full of colours, sounds, flavours, and fragrances. The festival includes a float event, musical shows, art galleries, and various fairs around the three main islands of Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue. Local and international artists from all over the Indian Ocean team up to entertain the islands.

What are your seasons like?

The weather in Seychelles is equable, being warm year-round, with temperatures ranging from highs of around 30 to lows of around 25. Humidity sits at around 80%, and most of the rain falls during December, January, and February.

The southeast trade winds blow regularly from May to November. Most of the islands lie outside the cyclone belt, so high winds are rare.

What are Seychelles major industries?

Seychelles’ economy has evolved from being based on agriculture, to present day growth being led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labour force, compared to agriculture, which today employs about 3% of the labour force. Major agricultural products include fish, sweets, tourism, farming, oil drilling and manufacturing.

In recent years the government has encouraged foreign investment to upgrade hotels and other services, as well as promoted investment in agriculture and the offshore financial sector.

How do people spend their free time?

There are a lot of outdoor activities to keep locals busy. These include going to the beach, for a ride around the island, and visiting bars and restaurants. Time can also be spent visiting other islands, on boat trips, and enjoying water sports.

What do people drink?

Water, local fruit juice, and alcohol are all popular. The local beers are very common, including Seybrew and EKU. Local rums, such as Takamaka Bay Rums, are also popular.

What is a popular local dish?

Staple foods include fish, seafood and shellfish dishes, often accompanied with rice. Fish dishes are cooked in several ways, such as steamed, grilled, wrapped in banana leaves, baked, salted, and smoked. Curry dishes with rice are also a significant aspect of the country’s cuisine. Additional food staples include coconut, breadfruit, and mangoes. Dishes are often garnished with fresh flowers.

What do you pay for? (1 USD = approx. SCR 12,83)

• A cup of coffee will cost approximately SR70.00
• A can of Coca Cola will cost approximately SR35.00
• A 3-Course meal at a midrange restaurant will cost approximately SR900.00
• A loaf of bread will cost approximately SR21.00
• A litre of fresh milk will cost approximately SR25.00

 

What is the general safety like in Senegal?

Senegal is a safe country, but if you don’t know the area you should be vigilant. Take some advice from a local:

• Don’t leave valuables on display in your car, or unattended on the beach.
• Take care in isolated areas, especially after dark.
• Do not display large amounts of cash and valuable personal property.
• Refrain from offering rides to strangers or hitch hikers.
• Always have your phone on you in case you are lost or need assistance.

 

 

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Written by Andrew Stegmann

Edited by Saudika Hendricks

Contributions by Dwight.