Today marks 10 years since the passing of Sesenne Descartes, Saint Lucia’s Queen of Folk Culture

Today, August 11 2020, marks ten years since the passing of cultural icon Dame Marie Selipha ‘Sesenne’ Descartes. “It is virtually impossible to tell the story of Saint Lucia without including the name and voice of this legendary chantwèl (singer),” noted the Monsignor Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre (FRC) in a statement today. Described as one of Saint Lucia’s most iconic cultural pillars, the FRC credits Descarters for contributing immensely in the shaping of Saint Lucian identity, culture and spirit.

“Sesenne was born in Malgretoute, Micoud on 28 March, 1914. She was the fifth and last child of Tewannee and Sony, and was known as a ‘spiritual guru’ within her family. She was grounded within the community, and ran a preschool in La Pointe. She was also known for producing the traditional confectionary of lamant (peppermint). Her role as a ‘poto kilti’ or a cultural pillar was evident in her participation in a range of cultural activities and her repertoire of timeless and rich Kwéyòl folk songs. In 2005 along with the late great folklorist Harold Simmons she became one of St.Lucia’s first National Cultural Heroes,” the FRC stated.

In keeping with its mandate to honor, teach, and keep the memory of folk alive, the organisation announced: “With respect to Sesenne one of the ongoing works of the FRC is the conversion of her home in Mon Repos into a museum, ‘La Plas Sesenne’ which will pay homage to her and her community which hosted St. Lucia’s first ever Jounen Kwéyòl celebrations.”