St Lucia: French Or British?

Its sometimes interesting to hear the debate, typically restricted to holidaymakers

, as to whether St. Lucia and St. Lucia hotels are more influenced by British or French culture.

Whats the reality?

To begin with, one has to say immediately that this island is independent and proudly so.

When visiting here, the overriding feeling is that you are in a Caribbean culture, albeit one that is distinctly St. Lucian. However, history is something that shouldnt be forgotten and both France and Britain (originally specifically England) have been heavily involved in helping to form todays culture here.

So, what are the true legacies? In the early 19th century, after centuries of warfare and bloodshed, the island finally passed irretrievably into British hands and became formally incorporated as part of the British Empire. For that reason, it is possible to see British influence in many areas of todays island life. Youll see it in the official language, which is English and in many of the legal and political institutions which have a very British feel to them.

The ties between Britain and St. Lucia are lengthy and it is no coincidence that significant numbers of islanders moved to Britain when immigration from the Caribbean first started in the 1950s and 60s. Yet for centuries, ownership of the island was contested by the two great European powers of the times. The first significant large-scale European settlement was by the French and they quickly gave the island its fundamental character, as is evidenced today by many place names.

The French influences are also seen very noticeably in many elements of the islands cuisine and the culinary skills utilised by its chefs. Many of these have actually been passed down from the days of French colonial ownership of the island and are proudly maintained today.

Of course, discussing this issue exclusively in terms of Britain and France is misleading because very significant numbers of slaves were imported from Africa in centuries past, and those peoples have contributed a huge amount to todays modern island culture.

For St Lucia hotels, the question of whose influence dominates perhaps has little meaning. Many of these establishments are luxurious and of exceptionally high standard; as such, they draw very heavily on the mixture that is present day St. Lucian culture.

Perhaps the richness of the cultural heritage is best illustrated in the language. English is widely spoken, however, most people in their ordinary lives and homes use a form of patois that is heavily influenced by French, a little by English but also by some of the tongues that were imported along with slaves in earlier years.

So, perhaps in reality the question, interesting as it is, has no real meaning or answer. Todays island and islanders have involved their only unique style and culture and they are continuing to do so. All over the island and in St Lucia hotels youre going to see a rich local culture one that is neither predominantly British nor French but instead St Lucian.

by: Cheryl Matthews

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