A Culturaholic
Diversity and Traditions
The Guadeloupe Islands are bound together by a rich ethnic diversity that characterizes their folklore, language, music and beliefs. A land of many influences- African, European, Indian, American and Oriental- the Guadeloupe archipelago has a multi-faceted identity where Indian rites, African memory and the rule of the 17th century colonists are part of everyday life.
The Arawak Indians
In the footsteps of the Arawak Indians
At the Roches Gravées site, on a new trail discovered in 1995, you will be able to admire the surprising petroglyphs (engraved motifs depicting animals, humans and strange symbols dating from 300 BC). It is the work of the Arawak Indians, the first inhabitants of the Caribbean region. Did you know ? You can see the third missing piece of this beautiful Amerindian petroglyph rock engraving in New York City at the Museum of Natural History!
Carnival
In Guadeloupe Islands, Carnival is a major cultural event, which is celebrated over three months: January , February and March. If you are in Guadeloupe Islands during this period, you cannot miss out on this spectacular and colorful event. You will attend parades floats, and many contests! Like for costumes, lyrics and also for choreographies. Count also on the multiple Dance marathons all across the cities to delve into the hypnotic rhythm of Guadeloupe!
Color, music, happiness and laughters will be the memories that you will keep of the carnival of Guadeloupe.
Guadeloupe and India
Take the time to go to Capesterre Belle-eau and visit the Indian temple Changy. On Sundays, after the ceremony, everyone (including you!!) is invited to share our famous « Colombo » dish. The particularity of this meal is that Colombo is eaten with the fingers on a large banana leaf. Festive atmosphere guaranteed!!
After this long good meal, finish the day at the fishermen village, watching the sun disappear into the Caribbean Sea and imagine Christopher Columbus stepping in Guadeloupe for the first time in Capesterre Belle-Eau in 1493 on board the “Santa Maria”…
Soul of Guadeloupe
Pointe à Pitre has a very rich architectural heritage. The city is certified since 1994 as a City of Art and History by the French Ministry of Culture.
Pointe-à-Pitre provides multilingual licensed tour guides ready to accompany visitors through the city.
Discover the story of the city by visiting St-Pierre and St-Paul Church, Place de la Victoire, St-Jones Perse and the many other museaums.
Step back in time and contemplate the beauty of traditional Creole houses and colorful and lively markets.
Pointe-A-Pitre is also the ideal location for shopping and the port of call for many cruises ships such as COSTA, MSC, CLIPPER , CLUB MED 2 etc.
Just like Pointe-à-Pitre, Basse-Terre has a very rich architectural heritage, notably: Fort Delgres, Gerty Archimède Museum, the Law Court, the spice market and its beautiful clock, Gerville Réache High School, « Promenade des Anglais » (the maritime boulevard) and Notre Dame de Guadeloupe Cathédral…
Since 1995 the city is certified as a City of Art and History by the French Ministry of Culture.
Each monument has a lot of history, and visiting Basse-Terre will allow you to discover another side of the Guadeloupe Islands.
MUSARTH
The former Schoelcher Museum was treated with an inside and out facelift and a new name! Inaugurated in fall 2022, the Musarth opened its doors after a full restauration offering a permanent exhibition composed of Victor Schoelcher’s private collection, dating back to 1885 and 1889, as well as temporary contemporary art exhibitions.
The Musarth also boasts a cultural meeting space and workshops for artists, scholars, and the general public.
Musarth - 24 rue Peynier, Pointe-à-Pitre – Open Tuesday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm
Memorial ACTe
S“The challenge of ‘living together’ in our multicultural societies implies recognition of each person’s history and memory, and at the same time the sharing of a common heritage, in order to transcend past tragedies” Moussa Iye, UNESCO Chief of Intercultural Dialogue Section.
On May 10, 2015, French President François Hollande and 19 heads of state inaugurated Guadeloupe Islands’ Mémorial ACTe. Located in Pointe a Pitre, precisely on the Darboussier site, which used to be a sugar factory, it is a cultural center dedicated to the Memory and History of Slavery Trade. The Memorial ACTe is part of UNESCO’s Slave Route Project, a global initiative to promote the rapprochement of peoples through the shared legacy of this tragedy. More than 150 years after the abolition of slavery, there is still much untold about the difficulties and struggles of bondage in the Guadeloupe Islands. This cultural institution seeks to preserve the memory of those that suffered during slavery, as well as to foster dialogue about the repercussions and begin to construct a historical conservation of the epoch.
Music and dance
Guadeloupean music evolves constantly. It started with Gwo Ka, then Zouk music appeared in the 80’s and finally Akoustik Kreyol arised. In perpetual change, this music lives on and it makes the Guadeloupean’s heart beat. Essential to the life of the island, it is paced by the sound of Ka.
In Creole Music, Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed. (Antoine Lavoisier).
