History

see all photos »

Just a brief history...

Even though the Arabs are thought to have been amongst the earliest visitors i.e. around the ninth century, it is Vasco de Gama who is credited with the discovery of these uninhabited islands in 1505.

From an assortment of "15 whites, 5 Malabar Indians and 8 Africans" the population swelled to 3,500 persons...

For many years thereafter, the islands were a hiding place for pirates. So now and then the whispers of hidden treasures surface :)....

see all photos »

In 1756, the French claimed the islands and subsequently became the first settlers. They named the place Sechelles - after King Louis XV''s finance minister. But why the finance Minister and not the King I have no idea!!!.

Anyway, Seychelles was mainly used as a transit point for African slaves. And then later, the French as well as the British used it like an exile colony for those people they wished to get rid of…hmm even though it was isolated in the ocean ,it certainly was a beautiful prison.

see all photos »

In the years that followed, the French and the British went back and forth exchanging the control over the colony. This lengthy struggle for control ended in 1814 in favor of Great Britain. It is said that before all this the island’s French aristocracy would lower the French tricolour and raise the Union Jack whenever the British fleet is seen in the horizons; And then raise the tricolour again when the fleet leaves harbour. Lol... hoodwinking.

In 1903, it was made official that the Seychelles is a separate British colony.

Later on that century on the 29th of June 1976, the Seychelles achieved its full independence from Britain and officially became the Republic of Seychelles.

Its people have no common native ancestry as the Seychelles islands were unoccupied before the French period. This archipelago snoozed uninhabited for about two and a half more centuries after its discovery.

From an assortment of "15 whites, 5 Malabar Indians and 8 Africans" the population swelled to 3,500 persons by the time Seychelles was ceded to Britain in 1814. So here, Africans, Indian, Asians, Chinese, Europeans, and Arabs met in various circumstances, mixed and mingled and the times rolled. Rightfully said …A potpourri of ancestors… traders, freed slaves, pirates and castaways, plus French and British colonists

You could say that representatives from almost every race on earth have at one time or another contributed something of their own customs.

Today, Seychelles prides itself in the resulting rich Creole culture. The Seychellois people characterize a colorful and harmonious blend of different races who are undoubtedly warm, easygoing, welcoming and very friendly.

The spoken tongues are Creole (French based), English and French.

And oh by the way, the economy survives mainly on tourism. So obviously - its bloody expensive!