Seychellois Creole people
'Creole' is a word used in the Seychelles to refer to those native to the country of whichever ancestry.[1]
The majority of people living in the Seychelles are creole. They are principally of East African and Malagasy origin. However, the Creole people today also include people of mixed East African, Malagasy, Indian, Chinese, French and British origins.
Origins
East Africans and Malagasy were brought as slaves to work on sugar and coffee plantations. These slaves were the last to be introduced to the Indian Ocean. Their origins lie in East Africa, and, to a lesser extent, Madagascar.
Creoles Today
Today Creoles are found throughout the Seychelles, numbering roughly 76,000; more than 70% of the entire Seychellois population. They are the dominant group in Politics.
The Seychellois music genre of Sega is known as Moutia.
Seychellois Creoles are proud of their African/Malagasy heritage and have set up a Creole institute in Mahé to help promote and to help others understand their culture. Unlike Mauritius, where Creole has no official status, the Seychelles have made Creole one of the three official languages along with French and English.
Demographical factors
Almost the entire population belongs to one of the Christian denominations, largely Catholic, with Protestant, Anglican, Adventist and other Christian minorities. The remainder are Spiritualists or Non-religious. The language spoken by all is Seychellois Creole, French and English are also widely understood.
References
- ↑ Robert Chaudenson (2001(of translation)). Creolization of Language and Culture. CRC press. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-203-44029-2.
