Keeping the island drumming traditions alive |26 July 2018
Renowned Seychellois artist Patrick Victor is promoting the Creole culture and islands’ traditional music by teaching the younger generation.
Patrick is giving Moutya drum lessons to young boys and girls interested in learning the traditional music of Seychelles.
Moutya is a style of traditional music that originated in the slavery period. It is played on large flat drums made from goatskin.
The well-known Seychellois artist said, “I work with those kids because they have a purity of mind; they don’t believe this is the music of slaves. Moutya is a sacred music.”
Patrick told the Seychelles News Agency (SNA) that he strongly believes in sharing his knowledge with the youth. Since January, he has been giving music classes to primary students in the four northern Mahé schools -- Anse Etoile, Glacis, Beau Vallon and Bel Ombre.
He said that teaching the students of the Bel Ombre primary school is more intensive as they practice all the different aspects of the Seychelles’ culture. As he lives in the Bel Ombre district, Patrick said he can spend more time with the students.
In the classes, children are learning about the historical importance of Moutya and the origin of its drums from not only Patrick but other visiting historians. They are also learning the three different types of drums based on their dimension and the fabric they are made of and how when harmonised they give the Moutya melody.
SNA met with Patrick after a music class with a larger group of students and was introduced to the 12 apprentices who came for extra classes.
Speaking on the students’ participation, Patrick said, “They are very enthusiastic. They are very eager to learn it well. Some even want their own drum so they can practice at home. I am hoping that after some time I can extend the course and perhaps do a cultural show at school.”
He added that students also learn the authentic way of playing the drums, especially how to warm the drums to get the best sound.
Although he has a vast experience in the Creole music, Patrick said, “I had to go back to the community and research some more. I do this with a lot of pleasure. I also enjoy working with those kids and I learn from them.”
Patrick is well-known for his patriotic Creole songs and has played a leading role in spreading respect for Seychelles music and culture across the Indian Ocean region.
Among his first songs was a Moutya entitled ‘Tanbour Moutya,’ Creole for ‘Moutya drum.’
Aside from giving Moutya lessons, Patrick assists schools with play-acting and learning musical instruments. He also works with them for well known performances such as ‘Moman Kreativite’ (Creative Moment) which takes place during the Festival Kreol in October.
Patrick believes that working with children is his contribution to what other enthusiasts of the Creole culture are doing to preserve it.
“I am a defender of our culture, values and heritage. I am someone who enjoys sharing, sharing mostly with children because I love their energy. I also share because I feel that my knowledge needs to be transmitted to someone else,” he said.
Seychelles is taking measures to establish safeguard measures for the traditional Moutya dance and is working on a nomination dossier for its inscription on Unesco.
Patrick believes that before Seychelles seeks the Unesco recognition of Moutya, the people need to have a sense of belonging and pride for what is theirs.
Patrick who has a vast experience in Creole music said he not only enjoys working with those kids but also learns from them (Joe Laurence, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY
Source: Seychelles News Agency