The Queen’s Baton Relay touched down the Seychelles on 22 December.
The Relay began in Praslin, the country’s second largest island, before Batonbearers Edwina Ally and Joyceline Perkins took to the water on a boat to visit Cousin Island, which is a nature reserve. Cousin is one of the world’s first whole island and sea reserves; it is home to multiple endangered species of birds and reptiles, such as giant tortoises, endemic lizards, and more.
The island’s Chief Warden, Dailus Laurence, and Warden, Laurence Hoareau took the Baton on a tour of the island. Returning to Praslin Island, the Relay toured the UNSECO World Heritage Site, Vallée de Mai, a palm forest, which has only changed minimally since prehistoric times!
The first day ended at La Digue island, where the Relay continued, pulled by an ox and cart, a traditional mode of transport for the island, but is now only used for special occasions. Now, most people travel around the island by bike.
The second day of the Relay started in the Northern District, at the District Administration building where local people performed a Moutia dance and children lined the Baton’s route waving flags! The Baton then moved to Central 1 district, where children held up boards with messages telling the untold stories of each district.
Next up on the route was Central 2 district and the Isle of Farquhar shipwreck which has been moored on the beach for over 40 years. Nearby to the shipwreck, coaches put on sports demonstrations, including basketball, table tennis, football, and boxing!
In the East Region, the Baton was taken to a local interschool sports event, then in the Southwest district island exploration ended with a Moutia performance at Anse Royale compound.
The final celebrations of the day took place at the Anse Source D’Argent beach, where people performed Moutia and Kanmtole (lively blend of French Royal Court’s contredanse and Scottish Square Dancing) dances around a bonfire. The celebrations of dancing, music, and the spirit of the Commonwealth enchanted all that were there.
The final day of the Relay in the Seychelles started with 40 people, all in Santa costumes, hiking with the Baton on the Anse Major on the Mahé island. The Baton’s journey in the Seychelles ended on the beach with people singing Christmas carols on Christmas Eve.
