Every culture has their own ways of celebrating and relaxing including St. Lucia.  Since St. Lucia was settled in the 1600’s, competing cultures that have left their mark on the island.  The French, the British, and even India and China have all left remnants of their past.

La Rose and La Margurite Festival …

One of the only culturally unique celebrations on the island are two days set aside for dueling societies.  The La Rose Festival takes place on August 30th every year celebrating the virtues of the rose.  It is an excuse to sing, dance, celebrate and parade through the streets dressed as prominent members of society.

The La Margurite Festival lands on October 17th every year.  It is the rival festival which mirrors the La Rose festival.  In song and dance, the marguerite flower (also known as the bachelor’s button, the globe amaranth, or the gromphrena) is celebrated.  For most people on the island, you are either a “La Rose” or a “La Margurite.”

Jounen Kweyol… October 26th

Jounen Kweyol is a celebration of local culture and the past way of life.  To a large degree, the last Saturday in October revolves around food – making it an obvious celebration to observe in the Lutheran tradition of potlucks! Most people dress up in their local dresses and shirts.  The altar is decorated in the local madras material.  In the past, we have had our own booth at the local celebrations as well as our own pot luck at church.  The food includes: fresh squeezed sugar cane, pineapple, mango, soursop, tamarind, golden apple,sugar apple, and citrus juice.  Also on the menu is: callaloo (a local stew), hard dumpling stew, rabbit, ox and pig tail, manacou (a local opossum), snapper, octopus, tuna, kingfish, wahoo, skewered chicken livers, turkey, chicken, goat, sheep and beef.  If you haven’t eaten a barbequed ox tail, you haven’t lived! Yum!

T. Spiegelberg