The Seychelles Islands
~Another World
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- Capital: Victoria
- Official Languages: French , English , Seychellois Creole
- Motto: âFinis Coronat Opusâ or âThe End Crowns The Workâ
- Currency: Seychellois rupee (SCR)
Places To Visit
La Digue
Its a place with jade-green waters, bewitching bays studded with heart-palpitatingly gorgeous beaches, and green hills cloaked with tangled jungle and tall trees. As if that wasn't enough, La Digue is ideally situated as a springboard to surrounding islands, including FĂ©licitĂ©, Grande SĆur and the fairytale Ăle Cocos.
Victoria
It is home to about a third of the Seychelles' population, but even so Victoria retains the air of a provincial town. While it may not fulfil all fantasies about tropical paradise, the city still has a little charm and a little promise when you scratch beneath the surface. Victoria is set against an impressive backdrop of hills that seem to tumble into the turquoise sea.
Morne Seychellois National Park
To Do List
â Visit Aldabra Coral Reef
â Scuba Diving in Beau Vallon Bay
â Go Hiking
Getting There and Around ----âïž
The Seychelles International Airport, located on Mahé, is the only international airport in the islands. Air Seychelles operates inter-island flights between Mahé and Praslin. Ferry services run between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. An efficient bus service operates throughout Mahé and Praslin, with a more extensive service available on Mahé. Hiring a car is an easy way to see an entire island, and the roads are good throughout Mahé and Praslin.
Cultural Aspects
Identification. The name "Seychelles" derives from the 1756 French expedition that led to the annexation of the islands. The commander of the expedition named the islands SĂ©chelles after the controller of finance, Vicomte Moreau des SĂ©chelles.
Architecture.Traditional architecture had two distinct forms: plantations and town houses. The plantation was focused on a lakou (courtyard with an owner's or manager's house), the kalorife (drying oven for copra), and storage houses. Separate from the courtyard were the workers' houses with thached roofs, and on some plantations also with walls made from coconut leaves.
Food in Daily Life. The staple is curry and rice, which may be eaten two or three times a day. The curry may be based on fish or meat. Coconut milk often is used in the curry. Upper-class Creoles eat meals that consist of both fish and meat. Alcoholism has been prevalent, partly because the plantations used drinks as payments and incentives. Among the working classes drinking tended to be solitary. A typical drink is palm wine, fermented sap tapped from coconut palm fronds.
Basic Economy. In a land-based plantation economy, copra and in some periods cinnamon and vanilla were the main exports. In 1960, about a third of the economically active population worked on plantations, and about 20 percent in the public sector. After the opening of the international airport in 1971, tourism became important.
Gender Issue Seychelles is a matriarchal society. The women tend to be the ones who run businesses and are also very present in the government. They may dress as they please and are generally very free.
Taboos There is a dress code in the evenings. Men have to wear long trousers and women are encouraged to dress up (no shorts and/or beach wear).
Women should not be too friendly and open with the men, as this is often misconstrued for sexual interest.
Holidays
New Years Day
This is very much a family day in the Seychelles. Feasts are eaten at night and people normally indulge in a family get-together with music and dancing.
Holy Week
Easter celebrations are among the most important celebrations held in the Seychelles. Families attend church services together and services are held in remembrance of Jesusâ sacrifices
Liberation Day
Liberation Day is held in remembrance of the initial resolution which led to total independence on 29 June, 1976.
Independence Day
This is a national holiday on all of the islands and is a time for locals to show their national pride and indulge in flag flying and other patriotic pursuits.
Christmas
Like most events held throughout the year in the Seychelles, Christmas is a time for family gatherings and feasting.
Festivals
Creole Festival
For six days every October, the Creole Festival sees the Seychelles demonstrating and celebrating the culture of the islands through music, dance, arts, craft, cuisine and customs. The festival offers visitors a fascinating week full of traditions, colour and energy.
Assumption/La Digue Festival
Christianity is the main religion in the Seychelles and every year, the islands celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. Events take place across every island, but the biggest celebrations can be found at the church of La Digue.