La Rose and La Marguerite

Saint Lucian villages have been divided between two flower societies since at least the eighteenth century, La Rose and La Marguerite, and the division is inherited: families belong to one or the other and have done for generations. Each has its own songs, its own hierarchy of kings, queens, nurses, soldiers and policemen with elaborate costume, and its own feast day, La Rose on the thirtieth of August and La Marguerite on the seventeenth of October. The societies hold séances, rehearsal gatherings with singing and drumming, in the weeks before, and on the day there is a church service and a procession through the village.

What to look for

• The two societies - inherited membership dividing every village.
• The costumed hierarchy - kings, queens, nurses and soldiers.
• The séances - rehearsal gatherings with singing and drumming beforehand.
• The feast days - 30 August for La Rose, 17 October for La Marguerite.

When to go

The thirtieth of August for La Rose and the seventeenth of October for La Marguerite, in villages across the island. The séances in the weeks before are where the singing actually happens and are more interesting than the day itself.

Things to know

This is village tradition rather than a scheduled event, and finding it means asking locally which villages are holding what and when. There is no programme published for visitors. The séances are community gatherings and turning up unannounced with a camera is not appropriate. Much of it is in Kwéyòl.

Nearby

Villages across the island; the folk research centre in Castries can advise.