Seychelles marks four years of moutya’s Unesco recognition |15 December 2025

On December 15, 2021, Seychelles’ moutya was officially inscribed on Unesco’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognising it as a global cultural treasure in need of safeguarding. The decision was met with pride across the nation, marking a historic milestone for Seychelles’ cultural identity.

moutya is a sensual traditional dance characterised by simple choreography and deep rhythmic expression. Created by enslaved Africans and brought to Seychelles in the 18th century, it was among 48 nominations reviewed by a Unesco evaluation body of experts, which recommended its inscription to the Intergovernmental Committee at its 16th session.

In November 2021, after attending Unesco’s 41st General Conference, held in Paris from November 9 to 24, the then Mayor of Victoria David André, who also headed the Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts, said it was highly likely that moutyawould be inscribed on the prestigious list. 

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