"Dimans Moutya" in Seychelles draws large crowd on La Digue for the Feast of the Assumption celebrations
Almasalla,Gate Arab Tourism News-The beat of the drums, the warmth of a bonfire and the powerful voices all made it a moutia night to remember on La Digue island, as young and old alike danced the night away with the vibrant songs which spiced up the night.
Diguois and visitors to their shores had packed the island’s Taroza restaurant last Saturday night during a séance of moutia by the Seychelles Musicians Associations, a team of artists who have made their mark with the popular Dimans Moutia event they have been staging on a regular basis since last year.
Happy with the turn-out, Tourism and Culture Minister called on the Diguois and all who had joined in the moutia to keep appreciating their culture.
Minister St.Ange congratulated the island’s residents for putting the effort in making the Feast of Assumption the success it deserved to be. The Minister said as he addressed the thousands present that La Digue Island should be congratulated for bringing forward and embracing the importance of our Seychellois culture.
Minister St.Ange added that religion was also part of our tradition and culture as he thanked the Roman Catholic Church, Bishop Denis and Fr Francis for the great 15th August Mass and congratulated the large number of pilgrims who filled the church for that 9am Mass.
On his part Minister for Natural Resources Peter Sinon who was also gracing the festivities on La Digue with his presence, joined Minister St.Ange on stage that night to say a few words.
He firstly congratulated the residents of La Digue for their warmth hospitality, adding that the island is a ‘champion’ on this.
Quoting the lyrics of an old-time favourite song by famous songwriter and musician Patrick Victor,
‘Ti annan en konplo pour detri tou’ referring to the time in our historical past when laws were passed to stop the passing of messages through the moutya drums
Minister Sinon said we need to respect and treasure this valuable part of our culture and tradition, adding that we need to keep promoting every aspect of our culture.
The ‘Dimans Moutya’ event is aimed at promoting and preserving this traditional music and dance. Both Ministers who were invited by the artists to address the large crowd present said they were pleasantly
surprised by the popularity of the traditional moutya music and dance. Minister St.Ange told the press at the event that tourism is now culture and experience and no longer just sun, sea and sand.
Minister went on to appeal to everyone to support the Seychellois Artists and to encourage them by joining them in their shows and popular dance evenings and for tourism establishments to contract more local groups to perform in their respective establishments. "Without culture we shall not have a consolidated tourism industry, and without our tourism industry we shall not have our National Airline let alone an economy. So let us work in unity to support our performing and creative artists" the Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture said.
