Read on to know all about music in Seychelles!
The Origin of Seychellois Music
The Europeans enjoyed their dance forms along with their traditional music. One popular folk dance form of the Europeans was the ‘Contradane’ festive folk dance where men and women faced each other and danced, along with the music. This lively form of music and dance left an impression on the slaves. The African community then began blending their styles with these, which resulted in popular music with traditional instruments like drums and soulful melodies. Somewhere around the same time, Indian influences also combined with this, giving rise to an ethnic mix and hence the music of Seychelles was born.
Traditional Musical Instruments of Seychelles
1. Bom
This unusual instrument was unnoticed until it was popularised by Jacob Marie, a popular local veteran in Seychelles. It is a one-string solo instrument and was traditionally introduced in this island country by slaves. This ‘bowed instrument’ has been used in a lot of songs by local artists in the country. It was traditionally played on the outer parts of the island, where there was no other form of musical entertainment.2. Zez
This one-string musical instrument has a lot of similarities with Bom. It usually comes with a gourd resonator which helps in providing a steady rhythm during the song recital. Songs and lyrics associated with this type of instrument are very slow in pace and soft and usually describe early traditional life on the island.3. Tanbour Moutya
Tanbour Moutya is a unique musical instrument in Seychelles. These are drums made of wood and goat, or cow skin. The wooden part of the instrument is carved from a tree called 'Var' which grows on the seaside. The diameter of the drums is usually around 70-80cms. The entire device comprises three drums where each drum makes a different sound.4. Makalapo
Makalapo is a two feet long instrument that derives its resonance from the ground or sometimes even the human body. The base of this instrument is like a tin can, and the upper part consists of a set of strings, like a guitar, attached to a wooden pole. To get the perfect echoing sound, Makalapo is usually played in the corner and is believed to have originated from the district of Zulu and the Makhuwa tribes of Africa.5. Mouloumba
Mouloumba is believed to have been invented by the slaves in Africa, decades ago. It is a lot like the Tanbor Moutya, that is, like a drum set. The only difference is that the drums are made from around 2.5 feet of Bamboo, instead of wood.Different Musical Styles of Seychelles
1. Sega
Sega is one of the most popular in the influential form of music in Seychelles and is a dominant form even now. It initially originated in Mauritius, among their African slave population and later spread to Seychelles. Sega form of music, in its authentic style, is mostly performed using simple instruments like rattles, gourds, musical bows and hand drums. This form of music traditionally had lyrics that described the oppression, pain and the desire to be free from slavery, expressed by the African slaves. Sega is accompanied by a traditional dance performance that involves the feet, which stay firmly on the ground and the rest of the body moves.2. Moutya
Moutya or Montea is another popular style of music, which still holds a firm grip in Seychelles. It is quite similar to Sega, but the only difference is the dance form accompanied by a Moutya performance. Unlike Sega, the dance form accompanying Moutya has distinctive movements, and the dancers do not have their feet restricted to the ground so that they can move freely. The performance begins with slow drum beats around a campfire, and the music starts intensifying with time. The drum is made from goatskin, and hence it is kept beside the bonfire so that it gets fine-tuned as it gets heated.3. Maloya
Another style of music in Seychelles, similar to Sega is Maloya. Though the instruments used in this style of music is similar to Sega- rattles, gourds, musical bows and hand drums, the music is slower and is more reflective than Sega. It was historically a rebellious form of music; the lyrics were sung in a shout and response style, with a strong political tone.New Musical styles in Seychelles
1. Zouk
Zouk was initially introduced by a band called ‘Kassav’, sometime around 1985. This new genre evolved when this band blended traditional music with modern instruments. What followed was a unique mix of contemporary music like jazz, rock and fast beats. The youth started liking the tunes, and even now, it is still a popular form of music in Seychelles.2. Seggae
Seggae is a classic fusion of traditional Sega beats along with reggae form of music in Seychelles. It has gained quite some popularity since the time it was introduced in the late 90s.Although Seychellois music has a robust western paradigm to it, the musical culture of Seychelles still maintains its individuality through the techniques and styles which suit its tradition. So, even today, their musical journey continues to evolve, but they have always kept their roots intact.
The unique combination of music and dance in Seychelles, performed by the locals can be seen at many popular hotels and resorts in Seychelles. Other than the hotels, you can also witness these unique performances in the city centre. Let your tour operator know in advance that you are willing to attend one of these cultural performances, and they will take you to see the best performance. If you are in Seychelles, trust me, the tunes of the Zez and Bom will keep you grooving throughout, so do not give it a miss!