Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2019 | Page 46

Coconut leaf-covered bouillon, a typical local
dish enjoyed on Jounen Kweyol
Submitted by: Shana Jones, Roaming Aviatrix
Photo Credit: Denzil Benjamin George of George Photography
- OCTOBER -
Creole Heritage Month
Jounen Kwéyòl
&
A huge celebration of St. Lucia’s Creole
heritage and culture takes place for the
entire month of October each year, during
which time the island’s French/African
ancestry, its resulting dialect, food and
cultural amalgation are honoured. This year
it will be held under the theme: ‘Dékouvè
Sent Lisi, Dékouvè Kò’w’ (Discover Saint
Lucia, Discover Yourself).
Creole Heritage Month was established in
1984.
Creole Heritage Month, now on the list of
the island’s Summer Festivals, ensures that
awareness of St. Lucia’s cultural heritage
remains in the minds of St. Lucians both at
home and abroad. Their heritage is a source
of national pride and in recent years, Creole
Heritage Month has also become a tourist
attraction for lovers of folk culture.
The established national activities for Creole
Heritage Month includes an official launch,
followed throughout the month by La Wenn
Kwéyòl Pageant, Jennes Kwéyòl Pageant,
Kwéyòl Poetry, Drama and Storytelling,
Creole Arts Exhibition, Dité Kwéyòl, Fèsten
Tanbou and Vanndwédi Kwéyòl with
activities organized in all schools and in
business places throughout the country.
International Creole Day is observed
each year on October 28th, engendering
solidarity among Kwéyòl speaking
communities around the world, while
encouraging the continued practice of the
Kwéyòl Language and Culture. In St. Lucia,
Jounen Kwéyòl (Creole Day) is celebrated
on the last Sunday in October and is the
grand climax to the national program of
cultural and education activities which
took place during the month. On that day,
activities take place in designated host
communities. Thousands participate in
these celebrations which typically includes
a Creole Mass, Creole Food and Drink Fair,
indoor exhibition of Creole technology,
equipment and items depicting the folk life
of the ancestors of modern day St Lucians;
outdoor demonstrations of traditional
technologies and other folk traditions;
cultural performances throughout the day,
and other community-specific spontaneous
activities. On that day, St. Lucians are also
encouraged to speak the Kwéyòl language
as much as possible.
This year, Jounen Kwéyòl will be held in the
villages of Gros Islet and Vieux Fort.
Traditional Creole Hut at Morne Coubaril Estate
Submitted by: Shana Jones, Roaming Aviatrix
Photo Credit: Denzil Benjamin George of George Photography