In a recent interview with SNA, a top official from the
Culture Department said the island nation’s dossier has made the list for final
recommendation.
“UNESCO has informed us that technically the file is in
order and has been put on a list to be considered as a world heritage. The list
will be considered later in December, given the fact that the dance made the
list is a positive sign and gives a lot of hope,” said Julianne Barra the
director-general for Culture.
It was in 2018 that Seychelles, after trying and not
succeeding twice before, for the third time submitted a dossier to get the
dance recognised. The application to UNESCO was accepted. In 2019, the dossier
was sent to the committee level where the application was thoroughly analysed
and evaluated to see if ‘moutya’ can be considered as a heritage.
Moutya is a traditional dance similar to the sega. The
rhythm for the dance is from a drum made with dried goatskin, which needs to be
heated through an open fire before the drumming starts. The songs which
accompany the dance are those that recount the hardship of everyday life. It is
believed that the African slaves started the moutya.
In a past interview with SNA, Principal Secretary for
Culture Cecile Kalebi explained that it is important for the Seychelles – 115
islands in the western Indian Ocean – to have a cultural heritage as currently
there are two environmental World Heritage sites.
These are Vallee de Mai, a nature reserve on Praslin, the
second-most populated island, where the endemic coco de mer grows in its
natural state. The second site is the Aldabra Atoll – one of the largest atolls
in the world, home to the largest giant tortoise population in the world – the
endemic Aldabra tortoises.
“Cultural heritages link us to our history and also place
our country on the world map. Already our two national heritage sites give
Seychelles a good name out there. Many people who follow these applications
want to see it happen in the original country. It is also our aim to keep these
things alive in order to attract tourists but also to make us proud as a
nation,” said Kalebi.
A hopeful and excited Barra told SNA: “If the moutya is
considered it will be an exceptional honour. It will be the first time one of
our traditional music, dance is protected. For now, we are protecting it
nationally, but now it will be protected internationally, it will get its
protection. And another thing is that Seychelles will get recognition
everywhere. We can also get financial assistance to do other projects
affiliated with moutya and us in Seychelles. We must continuously have national
programmes to promote the moutya.”