Introduction
Saint Lucia, the tiny Caribbean island sometimes referred to as the Helen of the West Indies is home to about 185,671 people. Located (near the equator) within the Eastern Caribbean archipelago, between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, this nation’s sunny beaches make it a popular tourist destination. But local festivities are another site to behold. From casual Gros Islet Friday night outings to the grandeur of St Lucian Carnival, I think it’s fair to say we know how to ‘free up’! With many holidays on the calendar year, we get quite a bit of free time. But as this holiday comes around I wonder, why do we recognise National Day in December if we celebrate Independence Day on 22nd February?
So What is National Day?
Every year on the 13th day of December, Saint Lucian people recognise the public holiday, National Day. Written on our calendars; a day off from work and school and a day of rest. But what really is this holiday celebrating? Surely, as this day suggests, it is a day to bask in the pride of being a Saint Lucian. A day for national pride, to celebrate our culture and heritage. You know, what it means to be a ‘Lucian’!
Generally, National Day is a day recognised by a country to celebrate the nation’s culture, national pride or some significant event related to the nation. St Lucia’s national day falls on the same date as the feast of Saint Lucy of Syracuse. St Lucy, born in Italy, is the saint of the blind and was known for feeding the poor and homebound individuals. Being that the country is named after her, St Lucia’s national day is not only a day to celebrate nationhood but is also a Christian holiday that celebrates the feast of the saint this beautiful island nation is named after.
History of St Lucia
Initially, the island was called ‘Iyanola’ by its first known inhabitants, the Arawaks. Then later, when another indigenous group, the Caribs, took over, the island was called ‘Hewanorra’. Although not yet colonised by the Europeans, it is believed that in the 1500’s a Spanish ship wrecked ashore the island and upon then it was once again renamed, this time called ‘Santa Lucia’. Or in English, Saint Lucia.
The 1600’s saw the Europeans conquer and colonise the island bringing West African slaves to work on sugar cane plantations for the benefit of the European economy, while some Europeans also inhabited the island during that time. The French and English, in particular, battled for several years for possession of this land. Commonly known to be 7 times British and 7 times French as possession was changed 14 times, the French eventually surrendered the island to Britain in 1814.
Today, many influences from the French, English, African and indigenous cultures are still very much visible on the island. A cultural ‘bouyon’ if you’d like.
Cultural Influences
Although a complicated and conflicted history of colonisation precedes us, a strong love and appreciation is shown to our African heritage. Enjoying the traditional braiding of hair, the madras clothing and African prints, as well as the modern music from Afrobeats artists to name a few. Not to mention the ethnic majority on the island most likely stems from African descendants while perhaps with a few drops of European blood as well.
If we look closely, many of our St Lucian surnames and streets are from the European languages. Undoubtedly, language is one of the biggest influences of our European heritage. But does this make an argument in support of our very own ‘Kwéyòl’?
Kwéyòl is a French creole language spoken by St Lucians, typically more often spoken in rural areas or by some older generations. Supposedly, this creole was developed when slaves morphed their European masters’ language into one they could communicate amongst themselves. But today, it seems that the language is being lost as the country seeks to become a more developed nation. Which begs the question, are we losing a part of our culture in the process? Some argue that the language is a sad reminder of the brutal history of slavery, while some say it’s part of who we are and should embrace it as a cultural token. Given that the language was developed on-island and is rather specific to the country, merits its status as a national symbol.
Religion
Another major influence has been our strong Christian background. Recognising many Christian holidays throughout the year including perhaps the feast of St Lucy on National Day. Christianity was introduced to our people from our European colonisers and despite being a majority Christian nation for many decades, it’s another aspect of our culture that seems to be on the decline.
Religion, although a sensitive topic, plays a vital role in providing a moral guide to society. Religion puts a hold on immoralities, a lot of which are present in today’s society. The irony of being named after a saint! But, in all honesty, different organisations of faith; Baptist, Catholic, or Adventist, mostly hold the same core values. So, a bit more unity and faith can go a long way in holding this country together, particularly in these changing times.
Lucian Pride
National day provides the opportunity to come together and celebrate as one people in solidarity and support of one another. A gentle reminder of our past and how far we have come. How far on the spectrum of success can be another discussion. But for now, it’s time to sit back, and thank God for the beauties this life and this nation has given to us.
Days like these are very simplistic but the complexities behind them are what make them so special. A day for togetherness, peace and comradery. A day to embrace all our country has to offer. The mouthwatering food, the entrancing music, and the amazing people who have achieved major accomplishments as we strive to make our own while supporting our fellow Lucians. As we continue to care for the land, the people, the light.
NEUVA SAYS UK, CAN YOU HEAR ME:
National Day I say no and I call it a sad Day, stop believing in a St. Lucia fantasy that is all but lost, to those who left St. Lucia making a living just so they can return to their nest, hear this!, it is true you left your St. Lucia and have gone into marriage with your beloved UK, or usa, even Canada, your dream of a prosperous St. Lucia is all in your head because of love for your Island, yes the beaches are still there, and the sun is hot, the rain dampens the noonday heat bringing cool breeze to the land, the mountains are still majestic to behold, the old folks in your generation has now all pass away unto their rest, which makes you daydream, your little fifteen-minute visit puts a pep in your step, and your eyes are blinded to the misery of the Island.
Hurrah for you, get a real look around you to see the unforgiven plight independence has caused to the Island, we have become a nation of beggars, sold our birthright to foreigners because we don’t have the right stuff, our so-called leaders are nothing but scavengers and opportunist, nothing to do with the Land The People or the Light, of course, you are on the brink of disaster moving fast on a oneway dead end road.
Those who have ears listen carefully, your leader’s greed has darkened and placed a choke hold on our Island, the poor have been neglected, the sick are dying for lack of proper care, and your crops are rueing for lack of love for the land, your old is without hope for lack of hospitalization, your children are being sold to the highest bidder for lack of knowledge spoiled by commercializing propaganda, foreign diplomacy of treacherous intent, and you think to say happy National Day.
Once lost can never regain, this generation was led astray, to crimes and violence liars, like a pack of hungry wolves preying on their neighbors, I invite you to bring your wealth to St. Lucia it all will have lasted but one day, modern pirates Roam both parties of the government, and jackals roam the streets. Come stay here if you dare, maybe next year you will say Happy Sad day St. Lucia.
Again I say to the Fox: Fox my man! You nailed it, to further elaborate on your unique observation let me say St. Lucia had no business being independent when all it does is panhandle, begging for bones, the so-called elected leaders for the past decade have been blind beggars acting like kids playing at a tea party with dummy stuff dolls.
They fight among themselves for the bigger piece of the pie and scrabble with name-calling lies, and deceit, no wonder this country St. Lucia is in a shit hole with murders by the score, still they fight and scrabble among themselves instead of standing tall and being true heroes to the cause, asleep at the wheel they are, let me tell you what they are not, truthful no, lazy yes, greedy yes, innovative thinkers no, bossy yes, fresh, yes, stupid yes, brilliant no, those are the people who have represent a failing Island, captain the ship is sinking.
The biggest heartache of all is that the Island produce and has among those failures people of true grit and brilliant top-notch sons and daughters, however, they are not given a chance to shine, and we all know why?.