Seychelles > What to do & what to see > Music, song and dance

Music and dance have always played a prominent role in Seychelles culture and in all types of local festivities.  Rooted in African, Malagasy and European cultures, music is played to the accompaniment of drums such as the Tambour and Tam-Tam and simple string instruments.  The violin and guitar are relatively recent foreign imports which play a prominent role in today’s music.    The lively Sega dance with its elegant hip-swaying and shuffling of the feet is still popular as is the traditional Moutya, a mysterious, erotic dance dating back to the days of slavery when it was often used as an outlet for strong emotions and as a way of expressing discontent.  Kanmtole is a foreign dance import, accompanied by banjos, accordion, violin and triangle and reminiscent of a Scottish reel while the Kontredance with its intricate movements has its origins in the French court and is danced to the strains of banjo, triangle and to the instructions of the ‘Komander’ or Commander who calls the sets.  Seychelles Moutia Dance © Seychelles Tourism Board    Several groups of traditional dancers perform at local functions as do modern groups playing jazz, reggae, country & western, hip-hop, ballads and classic rock.  Several choirs exist singing traditional hymns and promoting choral music with a repertoire that includes sacred, secular, gospel and folk pieces.    Back to  Seychelles travel guide Homepage or visit the links hereunder.     Links • artists or bands (afromix) Links in other languages           (1) (1) Same category in a different destination Comoros Madagascar Maldives Mauritius Mayotte Nepal Réunion Sri Lanka Zanzibar