| | Need to Know | Capital City Victoria | | Tipping Not mandatory
| | Electricity 240V | | Weights and Measurements Metric system |
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People & Language
The people of the Seychelles are of European (mainly French), or African origin. There are also Seychellois descended from Indian and Arab immigrants. The abolition of slavery on the island caused widespread intermingling between races and different ethnicities, as a result of which most of the Seychellois people are of mixed race primarily of African, Malagasy and French origin, integrated by a common Creole language.
The official languages on the islands are English and French but a majority of Seychellois speaks Creole, a mélange of French and African dialects not dissimilar to that spoken on Mauritius.
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Religion
The majority of the island’s inhabitants are Roman Catholics (86%). Others such as the Seventh Day Adventists, Pentecostal, Jehovah's Witnesses, Bahai Faith, Muslims and Hindus number around 3.4%. The Government preaches and practices freedom of religion. Most Seychellois are keen churchgoers, but belief in the supernatural and in the old magic of spirits known as gris remains strong. Despite the outlawing of sorcery was in 1958, there are a number of bonhommes and bonfemmes di bois concocting potions, cures and curses.
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Food
Food on the Seychelles predictably reflects the ethnic diversity on the island. Creole cuisine that is found easily all over the islands is delicious and is prepared in a fascinating variety of ways. Standard Créole dishes are daube, a sweet sauce or stew; rougaille, a tomato-based sauce used with fish, sausages or as a side dish; carii coco, meat or fish curry with coconut cream; and brèdes, a native type of spinach. There are also strong Indian influences - coconut milk and chillies are used widely in fish and vegetable curries. Continental food that uses herbs and garlic can also be found.
The local seafood delicacies are red snapper (known locally as bourzwa), kingfish, tuna steaks parrot fish and even barracuda and octopus curry! Fish and rice is the staple combination. Chinese-style stir-fries are a popular way of consuming locally caught fish. Breadfruit, an exotic fruit with a nutty taste and floury texture, is consumed in a variety of ways – fried like chips or boiled. Legend has it that once the traveler eats breadfruit on the Seychelles, he/she is sure to return one day, so eat your breadfruit with this knowledge!
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Culture & Crafts
The culture of the Seychelles is a blend of some European but mainly African elements. For instance, the sombre moutia, the distinctive dance of the Seychelles, has strong African and Malagasy rhythms. Seychellois songs are prayers refashioned into work chants by slaves and their descendants. They are usually accompanied by rhythmic, graceful dance routines. Seychellois music combines Indian, European, Chinese and Arabic influences and the major instruments are accordions, banjos, violins, the makalapo (a stringed instrument), the zez (a kind of sitar), African skin drums and the bom (a bowed instrument). The National School of Music and the National Cultural Troupe were set up by the government to consciously foster a Créole cultural identity and tradition. Crafts in the Seychelles are usually handcrafted variations of sea and forest treasures like seashells, palm leaf souvenirs, etc.
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