On Matters Cultural: Kilté-la Kwéyòl Zantiyé-Améwitjén - The French Créole culture of the Caribbean and the Americas pt.1

 
Flags: Commonwealth of Dominica, French Overseas Department "Département Outre-Mer" of Guadeloupe (unofficial flag as proposed by the People's Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe)

 The Caribbean is home to a number of rich, beautiful cultures and over the centuries, delicious blendings of these African, European (Colonial British, Dutch, French, Spanish) and Amerindian cultures have developed into what are collectively known as 'Créole Culture'.

Whilst many in the UK are familiar with the more 'mainstream' Anglophone Caribbean cultures - particular emphasis on Jamaica and Trinidad - there is a rising interest and awareness of my own Caribbean heritage, id est that of the French Créole, though unfortunately it is still somewhat unknown... which is why I am creating this mini series of entries on the blog to inform, educate and edify, to the best of my ability, all those who happen to read it.

What is French Créole culture, and where can it be found?
There are over 1,238 islands that are a part just over 30 of the 'island countries' that form the 'Caribbean subregion of North America'.. not to mention the 12 (South American) continental countries that have coastlines and islands on the Caribbean Sea and of course the 'Bayou State' of Louisiana - home of Mardi Gras and Southern Comfort.

The above collection of flags identifies some of the islands and territories where the French Créole culture developed (it also has the flags of Mauritius and the Seychelles... these also have a French Créole culture that shares much in common with the Caribbean/American one, but is significantly different and for the intents and purposes of this blog might be classed as the Indian Ocean branch of the Creole family and therefore not within its remit).

Péyi-yo Kwéyòl-la Zantiyé-Améwitjén
(The French-Créole Countries of the Caribbean and the Americas)

Ayiti - Haiti

Dòmnik - Commonwealth of Dominica

Guiyàn - French Guyana (Fr. D.O.M)

Gwadloup - Guadeloupe (Fr. D.O.M)

La Gwénad - Grenada

La Twinité - Trinidad 

La Lwiziàn - Louisiana, US

Marigalant - Marie Galante (Fr. D.O.M)

Madidina/Matnik - Martinique (Fr. D.O.M)

Sen Bart - St. Barthélemy (Fr. C.O.M - Collectivité Outre-Mer)

Sen Marten - St. Martin (Fr. C.O.M - Collectivité Outre-Mer)

Sent Lisi - St. Lucia

Vénézwel - Venezuela

So, that's the where, but as for the 'what'... well it's 3:39am and I really ought to be going to bed.
You'll just have to wait for the second installment.

                                          

Bonnwi... dòmi byen! Good night... sleep well!