Beating the drum in Victoria |20 May 2017

Music and dance have always played a major role in the culture of Seychelles and are still an important part of local festivities.

Therefore an open debate on moutya took place yesterday at the National History Museum as part of  activities to mark the International Museum Day (IMD) 2017 celebrated on May 18 every year.

The event was organised by the Seychelles National Museum (SNM), the Seychelles Heritage Foundation (SHF) and Seychelles Musicians Association (Seymas).

It was moderated by the SNM director Beryl Ondiek and the main speakers of the debate were Norville Ernesta, Andreix Rosalie and Jessie Freminot.

Present during the event was the chief executive of the National Arts Council (NAC) Jimmy Savy, renown artists Patrick Victor and Jean-Marc Volcy, members of the department of culture, students, among other members of the public.

The dance of moutya usually takes place around or near a fire and under the moonlight.

To kick off the debate there was a performance by Mr Ernesta and some dancers to set the scene and ambiance.

He said moutia is not just music.

“It’s a message being transmitted and that message can be composed right there and then in the moment,” he said.

Among the discussions was the question why the moutia is prohibited in town after 9pm where Mr Rosalie explained that it was because it disturbed the governor while he slept at State House.

For his part Mr Victor said it was the church who was against the ritual which the people created while playing the moutya drums and dancing.

“Moutya is dear to me because of the hold it has on people’s feelings and emotions. I think it was not banned because of the disturbance only, the church also had a problem with the ceremonial way of playing moutya,” he said.

He said moutya is the music us Seychellois should pray with and hear on the radio everyday.

“The day our moutya music is played in church, is when we will have true liberty,” he said.

The origin and history of moutya, the instruments used, how they are made and the importance of moutya in our lives were other topics discussed.