The sounds of bamboo bursting, traditional Kwéyòl and Zouk music filled the air over the weekend.
Matching the rhythms was the allure of local flavours emanating from earthen pots and wood fires. Saint Lucians from all walks of life, and several visitors too, converged at various locations, many adorned in Madras wear or shirts emblazoned with Kwéyòl phrases, all in celebration of what many refer to as the country’s native language and heritage.
For most Saint Lucians, the October 26 Jounen Kwéyòl activities were a potpourri of music, traditional dance, and games with lots of food and various concoctions that would have brought the curtain down on their celebration of Kwéyòl Heritage Month.
From all accounts it was indeed an enjoyable occasion.
However, for the Monsignor Patrick Anthony Plas Wiches Folklo (Folk Research Centre), their major activities culminated on October 28 with “Fèt Lanng Kwéyòl” in celebration of the progress of the Kwéyòl language.
October 29 each year marks the celebration of Jounen Kwéyòl Entennasyonnal in Saint Lucia and many Francophonie states.
The Sunday closest to that day is set aside for the major celebrations which took place in the communities of Belle Vue, Vieux Fort, and Babonneau, while pockets of events were held across the island.
The activities on October 27, which were held at the National Cultural Centre, also served as a sideline for talking points of what transpired on the weekend.
In attendance was the Executive Director of the Folk Research Centre (FRC) Melchior Henry, who told the St. Lucia Times that the organisation was pleased with the events and participation last weekend.
“Lots of people came out to the designated communities. However, we also expected lots of other events mushrooming around the place, which we saw as well.
“We truly believe that Jounen Kwéyòl has gotten to the point where people have taken ownership of it,” Henry said.
Reiterating the sentiments of Monsignor Anthony, Henry said the intention was always for Jounen Kwéyòl to be celebrated in a big way, similarly to Christmas.
Going forward, he said it would not be as centralised, although he acknowledged the organic spread of the event is already happening.
“The difference though is that when you go to the host communities there is a greater focus on the culture, because we ensure that there are certain acts put on that reflect our cultural traditions so that persons can come and experience our culture,” Henry explained.
“For most of the other locations it is mainly about selling — the food, the drinks — you may have some Kwéyòl music but there is no demonstration, no exhibition,” he says.
Henry revealed that the choice of host communities depended on their capacity to put on various activities leading up to and on the main day of Jounen Kwéyòl.
The theme for Kwéyòl Heritage Month was ‘Kwéyol Sé Fòs Nou’, which translates to “creole is our strength”, and ran through several of the presentations in the communities.
This theme carried through to October 28, as Anthony delved into a presentation on the strength of the Kwéyòl language.
Former Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy spoke to “the progress and expansion of Kwéyòl” while a representative group from Grenada performed a poem in Kwéyòl. Another contingent from Cayenne put on a display and sampling of traditional food. The event also featured a mini exhibition and a performance of Let La by Educator, one of the first calypsos sung entirely in Kwéyòl.
A major highlight was a Kwéyol spelling and writing ‘master class’ by Jason C Joseph, which was followed by the announcement of a Kwéyòl spelling competition set to take place in December.
Alongside the members of the public, the event was attended by teachers, students, the FRC, Cultural Development Foundation, government officials, and the Taiwanese Ambassador.
Its success makes it a likely addition to the FRC’s calendar of activities for Kwéyòl Heritage Month next year.
Henry told the St. Lucia Times that the FRC will soon engage in a major review of this year’s Jounen Kwéyòl and Kwéyòl Heritage Month with a view to making it even bigger and better next year.
