Traditional dance classes compulsory for tourism students |14 November 2014

It is now compulsory for students following the International Tourism course at the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) to be proficient in both the theoretical and practical aspects of traditional dance.

Over thirty students took their practical exam on Tuesday at the STA’s premises at La Misère.

The need to have traditional dance incorporated in the course is a request from the trade who felt that the students should not only be versed in the theoretical aspect of the dance but should be able to perform it as well.

Seven sessions for a duration of six weeks were held during which the students learned traditional dances especially kanmtole.

But the introduction of Seychelles culture as part of the modules in the Tourism and Tour Guiding course at the academy was introduced since 2006 and about four weeks ago the students followed a course in Creole cuisine.

The academy considers the students as ambassadors as they will be working in various destination management companies (DMC), with airlines or tour operators, naming but some. So they need to be properly equipped to promote not only our flora and fauna but also our local culture.

Present to watch the students perform various kanmtole dances during the exam on Tuesday were STA principal Flavien Joubert, tourism principal secretary Anne Lafortune, deputy chief executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Nathalie Didon, judges and facilitators of the traditional dance exam principally from the culture department.

They were later presented with their competency certificates.

Elaborating on the need for such a module at the academy, Mr Joubert said after their studies the students will be working with companies like Air Seychelles-Etihad or other travel agencies or tour operators. These trade partners hold tourism fairs overseas where there is a need for Creole entertainment. However, when comes the time for traditional dances, everybody refrain from taking to the floor as they don’t know how to dance these dances, leaving the tourists to have a go at them in whatever way they can.

“So tour operators informed the academy that it is important for these students to be trained in and pass an exam in traditional dances. Therefore we included that topic in our curriculum and it is compulsory for students to follow it, hence the final exam today,” said Mr Joubert, adding that STA brings in professionals in this domain to teach its students.

STA students performing the kanmtole dance during the exam

M.J.