Creole Heritage Month celebrations kicked off in three communities over the weekend, and from the looks of things, it certainly seeems like this month will be an action-packed one.
Soufriere, Canaries and Mabouya Valley (host communities for Jounen Kwéyòl 2023) offered a ‘sneak peak’ of sorts, revealing just enough for individuals to get excited for Jounen Kwéyòl.
There was conch shell blowing (in Soufriere), a ‘greasy pole’ that kept individuals on the tip of their toes, a boat show, and more.
In Canaries, there were a number of competitions including a mini truck competition and an early morning masquerade in Mabouya Valley that was preceded by a church service.
According to Rhyesa Joseph, the Executive Director for the Folk Research Centre (FRC), “this year, we have big plans for the Creole Festival …we will be bigger than Jazz, bigger than carnival …and initially, we will honour persons who have been promoting the Creole language.”
On Sunday October 8, there will be Storytelling and ‘Woulèlaba’ in the community of Bouton. Other activities include:
– History of the Free People, Kwéyòl Music and Food Celebration, Fond Gens Libre and Morne La Croix (Saturday October 7)
– Kwéyòl Dance at St. Isidore Hall (Friday October 13)
– Bamboo bursting, Kwéyòl dance and pig slaughtering in Zenon – Soufriere (Saturday October 14)
– Cocoa Festival (hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture), Old Trafford-Soufriere (Sunday October 15)
– Mass, Fèt La Marguerite Festival, Soufriere Schools, Old Trafford Complex (Tuesday October 17)
– Jennés Kwéyòl Pageant and a Fésten Manjé Kwéyòl Competition at Fond St. Jacques (Saturday October 21, Sunday October 22)
– Food, Arts and Crafts Fair at Chateau Belaire/Fond Doux Playing Field (Saturday October 28)
– Pli Bèl Twè (Vendors Produce Display), Old Trafford-Soufriere (Saturday October 28)
– Che Campche Show, venue TBA (Saturday October 28)
– Laplas Kwéyòl at the Soufriere Mini Stadium (Sunday October 29; Creole Day)
This year Creole Day will be celebrated under the theme ‘Kwéyòl: Wasin Pèp-la’ (Creole: The Root of the People).
Emphasizing the significance of Saint Lucia’s Creole traditions, Monsignor Patrick Anthony, founder of the FRC, recently noted that “culture is the belly of a country …and if you don’t know about your culture, if you don’t know about your language, your history, your traditions, if you don’t know about your roots, you will not stand.”
With a jam-packed calendar of events, it certainly seems like Creole Month will be nothing short of spectacular. (M.A.)