Societies of Saint Lucia
The Societies of Saint Lucia (dt. "Societies / clubs" in St. Lucia) are two historical associations on the Antilles -Insel St. Lucia . La Woz ("The Rose") and La Magwit ("The Marguerite") are associations that get their identity through the worship of roses (Rose de Dima) and "Marguerite" ( Argyranthemum or Globosa - Gomphrena globosa ). The events mainly revolve around price songs on the virtues of each flower. The societés are dedicated rivals and the members of the two societies make up most of the island's population.
Each of the societies organizes an annual festival, on August 30th for the "roses" ( fet la woz ) and on October 17th for the "Marguerites" ( fet magwit ). These flower festivals are unique and form a major event in the cultural life of St. Lucia during the year as well as in the history of the country.
Names
La Woz and La Magawit are terms from the local Antilles Creole , where European vocabulary mixes with West African grammar.
history
Societies emerged during the time of slavery , when groups of slaves formed who worked together and supported one another in difficult times. These groups were comparable to the dokpwé in Dahomey and the coumbite of Haiti and could also have a relationship with the egbes of the Yoruba , which also exist under different West African “theater states”.
In addition, the societés were probably also inspired by two mystical orders that were active in Europe during colonial times, the Rosicrucians and the Freemasons . The painter Dunstan St. Omer pointed this out in a mural by depicting the holy trinity of Osiris , Horus and Isis .
In the past, society in St. Lucia was divided precisely between these two groups. At times membership was also illegal and was frowned upon by the Catholic Church . Nevertheless, the societés survived, even if their purpose and organization changed. In the course of time the societés became more commercially oriented. In the meantime, other groups have formed that are there for the monetary economy and social security. Today the two historical societés are mainly dedicated to solidarity and leisure activities. During the independence movement, when the national symbols were chosen - tree, bird, flower etc. - St. Lucia opted for two flowers, the rose and the marguerite.
structure
Both societés have a formal hierarchical structure that is based on the socio-economic structures of the colonial society at the time of their creation. Each Societé has a King ( King ) and a Queen (Queen), and Princes (Princes), Princesses (princesses) and many other symbolic legal, military and professional roles, such as Judge (Judge) Policemen (police), nurses (nurses ), Soldiers (soldiers).
Festivals
Preparations for the annual festivals begin several months before the festival day. Each group holds “ seances ”. In this case, these are singing and dancing events at night, where drinks are sold and games are played.
The central figure of these seances is the shatwel ( lead singer ), who controls the “spirit and tenor” of the event. Many groups have a special excellent shatwel . These are usually women.
On the festival day, all members of the respective societé dress in their respective roles in the gala rooms and visit the church for a service that precedes the parade through the streets before they go to the festival hall for the grande fete .
Web links
Individual evidence
literature
- Crowley, Daniel J .: La Rose and La Marguerite Societies in St. Lucia . In: Journal of American Folklore . 71, No. 282, October-December 1958, pp. 541-552. doi : 10.2307 / 537460 .
- Patrick AB Anthony: The flower festivals of St. Lucia . Folk Research Center : St. Lucia 1985.