Babonneau brought back a cultural tradition that was missing for decades, crowning the new Lawòz King and Queen at Babonneau Church on Sunday, August 23.
This was the first Babonneau Lawòz coronation in the community since the 1980s. Members from both the Babonneau and Monchy Lawòz groups joined in the celebration, which is part of the lead-up to the annual Feast of Lawòz.
This year’s Feast of Lawòz will be held in Monchy on Sunday, August 30. The event brings people together to celebrate a tradition that is closely tied to Saint Lucian culture and the Catholic faith.
Babonneau parish priest Father Albert Aaron sees the return of the Lawòz group as more than just bringing back an old custom. He explained that the tradition began during the plantation era, when enslaved people could not hold certain positions in society and used Lawòz to imitate those positions.
He said that the tradition has been passed down through generations and is still closely linked to the Catholic faith. This year’s coronation was especially meaningful because August 23 is the feast day of Saint Rose of Lima, a Peruvian saint whose life is closely tied to the celebration.
“It’s a way of bringing people together and being able to appreciate each other as who they are, the things we do, how and why we do them…and bringing people to care more and more for each other,” Father Aaron said.
He also pointed to Saint Rose of Lima as an example, saying her devotion to others shows the spirit that the Lawòz celebration should encourage.
For George Louis, the new King, the return of Lawòz in Babonneau continues a tradition that has been part of his life since he was a child.
“ I understand it’s part of our culture, and so I have continued whenever I get the opportunity.”
The coronation means a lot to Louis because it marks the return of a tradition.
Brenda Aimable, the new Queen, also spoke about how important it is to keep Lawòz and other cultural traditions alive, especially by involving young people.
“As a young girl, I always regretted not participating… and I realised the culture is dying.”
When Aimable heard a Lawòz group was starting in Babonneau, she decided right away to join. She said she would not “make that mistake twice,” and recalled making her choice as soon as she heard about the group.
“I have always been interested in being the queen, and I stated my interest and there you have it. God bless me. I am the queen,” she said.
For Aimable, being Queen means more than just the coronation. She hopes her time as Queen will inspire young people to take an interest in Saint Lucian culture and join Lawòz.
“So during our reign, I pray that God helps us to get that done,” she said.
