Seychelles History, Language and Culture
History of Seychelles
Seychelles had no indigenous population and remained uninhabited for much of its early history, although Arab and Austronesian sailors probably knew of the islands before Europeans arrived. Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama recorded islands in the region in 1502, and European maps subsequently began to show the archipelago. Pirates later used some of the islands as hideaways during the 17th and early 18th centuries.
France formally claimed the islands in 1756, naming them after Jean Moreau de Séchelles, finance minister under Louis XV. Permanent settlement began in 1770, when French colonists and enslaved Africans were established on Ste Anne. Plantations producing crops including cotton, spices and coconuts developed, and the mixing of African, European and Asian influences gradually shaped the Creole society that characterises Seychelles today.
Britain took control during the Napoleonic Wars, and the islands were formally ceded to Britain under the Treaty of Paris in 1814. Seychelles was initially administered as a dependency of Mauritius before becoming a separate British Crown Colony in 1903. Slavery had been abolished throughout the British Empire in the 1830s, and liberated Africans subsequently brought to Seychelles added further to the islands' population and culture.
Seychelles gained independence from Britain on 29 June 1976, with James Mancham as its first president. A coup the following year brought France-Albert René to power, and Seychelles became a one-party state in 1979. Multiparty politics returned in the early 1990s, although René and his successors from the same political movement remained in power for decades.
The 2020 presidential election marked the country's first peaceful transfer of power between political parties since independence, when opposition leader Wavel Ramkalawan defeated incumbent president Danny Faure. Tourism, environmental conservation and protection of the islands' distinctive Creole heritage have become central to the country's development and international identity.
Did you know?
• Seychelles was uninhabited when permanent settlement began in the 18th century, making its modern population entirely descended from people who arrived from elsewhere.
• The islands were named after Jean Moreau de Séchelles, a French finance minister who never visited the archipelago.
• The Vallée de Mai on Praslin was once described by British general Charles Gordon as the possible site of the biblical Garden of Eden, inspired by its extraordinary coco de mer forest.
Seychelles Culture
Religion in Seychelles
Christianity is the predominant religion, with Roman Catholics forming approximately 76% of the population and Anglicans around 6%. Other Christian denominations account for approximately 7%. There are also small Hindu and Muslim communities, each representing around 2% of the population, while a minority follow other religions or have no religious affiliation.
Social Conventions in Seychelles
Seychellois society is generally informal and sociable, with Creole culture drawing on African, European and Asian influences. Greetings are important and a handshake is customary when meeting someone for the first time. English and French are widely understood, although using a few words of Seychellois Creole is usually appreciated.
Dress is relaxed in most tourist areas, but swimwear should be confined to beaches, pools and resorts rather than worn in Victoria, villages, shops or restaurants. More conservative clothing is appropriate when visiting churches and other places of worship.
Ask permission before photographing people, particularly at markets, villages and religious events. Public displays of affection should be relatively discreet. Seychellois tend to value politeness and courteous conversation, and confrontational behaviour or displays of impatience are poorly received.
Tipping is not deeply embedded in local culture because service charges are often included, although small tips for hotel staff, taxi drivers and guides are appreciated for good service.
Language in Seychelles
Seychelles has three official languages: Seychellois Creole (Kreol Seselwa), English and French. Seychellois Creole, which developed largely from French, is the most widely spoken language in everyday life and is the mother tongue of most Seychellois. English is widely used in government, business and tourism, while French is also spoken and appears in the media and cultural life. Visitors who speak English should have little difficulty communicating in hotels, restaurants and other tourist areas.