Seychelles – People
The population of the Seychelles (today about 80,000, the vast majority of whom live on Mahe) is predominantly descended from African slaves.
However, through mixing with the former white colonial masters from France and England as well as Asian slaves and immigrants, a mixture of peoples has emerged to this day, which contains every conceivable shade of skin color. But there are hardly any racial problems in the Seychelles.
Indian immigrants had primarily cultural influence, because they hardly mixed with the other groups.
Today, the retail trade in particular is largely carried out by businessmen of Indian descent. Overall, the culture and mentality are most clearly influenced by French and African influences, while education and state organization are more British-style.
Three languages are spoken in Seychelles, namely English, French, and Creole. The latter consists mainly of French language elements as well as English and African influences, but has its own line of development. According to today’s linguists, Creole is not, as was long assumed in Europe, a primitive gibberish, but a genuine, independent language.
; It is the most important language for the everyday communication of the Seychellois and, by the way, similar enough to Caribbean Creole despite the great geographical distance to enable a problem-free conversation with the inhabitants of certain Caribbean islands.
To our ears, which are not exactly spoiled by German sounds, the Creole language sounds very melodic and unmistakably reflects the serene and cheerful lifestyle of the Seychellois. However, don’t be fooled here: the Seychellois are a friendly, but proud and sometimes somewhat reserved people. If you want to be treated in a friendly and respectful way, you should behave in the same way (actually a matter of course). Tourists are generally welcome, but have no “fool’s license”.
Especially the older Seychellois, who have experienced quieter times and do not have enough money to compensate for the price increases caused by tourism, are of course less enthusiastic.
Young people, on the other hand, find the traditional island life bleak and boring. They are happy about every change and the modernizing influence of the visitors. Tourists, who mostly come from France, England or Germany, have to significantly correct their expectations of any kind of professional motivation among the locals.
The idea that something has to be done urgently or even immediately is completely foreign to a Seychellois.
If you adjust your own posture accordingly, this way of life can be very relaxing. Local solo entertainer in the Seychelles with a taste of his talent. The matriarchy that prevails in the Seychelles probably has African roots. The linchpin of the families are the mothers, while the men, one sometimes has the impression, do not know what to do with themselves.
In any case, couples rarely show themselves together in public. On the beach, fresh fruits and coconuts are offered by the hawkers.
