This country is a kind of cultural fusion of peoples and cultures, its people by and large a multiracial blending of African, Asian, and European, and English and French are widely spoken, as is French-derived Seychellois Creole. Christianity is by far the main religion (and of that, Roman Catholicism is by far the largest denomination), at around 75 percent, with second place – at just over five percent – going to Hinduism.
The best place to explore the culture is cosy capital Victoria (above), with a population of around just 25,000, just a couple of dozen streets, and two traffic lights. It´s home to some charming 18th- and 19th-century French and British architecture in stone and wood. Things to see include the National Museum of History ; the Natural History Museum; the 101-year-old Clock Tower (pictured here, dubbed “Little Big Ben”); the mid-19th-century Kenwyn House (now an art gallery); the vibrant Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market (where in addition to produce, meat, fish, and spices visitors can also pick up some handicrafts); the 1875-year-old Catholic Immaculate Conception Cathedral; the 1859 Anglican St. Paul´s Cathedral; and the Hindu Arulmigu Navasakti Vinayagar Temple, built in 1999.
And if you can make it in October, the weeklong Creole Festival held on Mahé, La Digue, and Praslin is an exuberant celebration of national culture, culture, and lifestyle.
Read more in my post Sweet on Seychelles.
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