SAINT LUCIA #29 BLACK
The island is of volcanic origin and is bisected from north to south by a central ridge of wooded mountains, the highest point being Mount Gimie (3,145 feet [959 metres). Many streams flow from the mountains through fertile valleys. In the southwest are the Gros and Petit Pitons (2,619 feet [798 metres] and 2,460 feet [750 metres], respectively), two immense pyramids of rock rising sharply from the sea and enclosing a small bay. Near Petit Piton, in the crater of an ancient volcano, are the boiling sulphur springs from which the nearby town of Soufriere takes its name. A choice tourist site, the springs also contain substantial energy potential.
Saint Lucia was first inhabited sometime between 1000 and 500 B.C. by Ciboneys, hunters and gatherers who made their way from South America. They inexplicably disappeared leaving little evidence of their presence on the island. Sometime after 200 A.D. the peaceful Arawak Indians arrived whom archaeological sites show to have been adept in pottery, weaving, farming and boat building. The Arawaks named the island, Iouanalao, which meant ‘land of the iguanas’.
Around 800 A.D. the more aggressive Carib Indians arrived from South America quickly seizing control from the Arawaks by killing their men and assimilating the women into their own society. Descendents of the Caribs are still found in Saint Lucia today.
Although English is the original Language of St. Lucians, a larger percentage of the people speak French Patois. French Patois is as a result of the shared French Creole heritage and a combination of British and French domination during colonial years. French Patois or Creole is widely used by St.Lucians as a way of communicating by using figurative expressions or phrases. This creole is not patois or broken French as other types of creole. It is instead a complete language by itself with different rules for syntax and grammar but even so, the inhabitants are not considered bilingual. The French creole that is spoken by islanders is a mix of French and African grammar mostly English vocabulary with a mix of French and a little bit of Spanish words as well. They have a written form of the language which is used for teaching scenarios and they even have textbooks for these lessons to include Mwen Vin Wakonte Sa Ba’w.
This language is as widely used as the official language of the country and as such it is preserved through its everyday use. It is not only the natives that use this dialect when communicating with each other but there are radio programs that are read in Creole only. This language is so highly esteemed that there is even a festival; the Jounen Kwéyòl is staged every year as a means of celebration for the language.
The people are proud of their heritage and the unique mix of cultures and it makes the island truly distinctive.
These phrases or proverbs were commonly used by their ancestors and have influenced the lives of the people even today. Approximately 90% of the population is Roman Catholic which has been influenced directly by early French settlement on the island. Being a mixture of different ethnic groups, St. Lucians have a diversity of cultural events. They celebrate Catholic feast days, African festivals and all English national holidays.
The population of approximately 170,000 is evenly distributed between the rural and urban areas. Within the rural communities of St. Lucia, the people use figurative expressions and phrases to tell stories. A typical story telling or folk tales occasion normally takes place in groups during the nights.The “la Veilee,” is an event where mourners come together for the night and are comforted by prayers and the popular folk tales known as “quick, quack” stories often told by the elderly members of the community. Community living is emphasized by the “coup de main” which basically is that members of a community will come together and take on projects such as the building of timber homes, planting gardens or any other related community activity.
St. Lucia’s cuisine ranges from high end to local, road side food stops, and the most compelling foodie choices should be to the places that St. Lucians like to visit. From partaking in oxtail stew in Marigot Bay, to filling up before a night at the Anse La Raye Friday night street party.
On an island with more than three times as many tourists as residents, all visitors have a lasting impact on Saint Lucia’s environment, its economy and its culture — and with that comes a responsibility to ensure that the impact is a positive one.
