JounenKwéyòl (Creole Day) is celebrated in Saint Lucia on the last Sunday of October across the entire island and has been held annually since 1984. On this day, the various towns chosen to host this festival create local dishes and foods such as roast breadfruit, Green Fig and Salt Fish (The National Dish of Saint Lucia), plantain, king fish, Manicou (opossum), Souse (a soup made with pork and often cucumber), fried bake and floats, Accra (a fried dough which contains salt fish), Paime (otherwise known as Conkies) and a famous dish known as Bouillon (fish, chicken or meat stewed with dasheen, yams, plantains, banana, and dumplings) Also local drinks such as Cocoa Tea, Golden Apple Juice, Guava Juice and more.
The event is also celebratedwith Kwéyòl music some of which have been passed down through many generations. The most widely used instruments besides vocals are the Tambos (drums). Most people commemorate this day by wearing the island’s National Wear such as the WobDwiete. JounenKwéyòl was celebrated on Friday, 27th October at 11 am at AIMU. All the faculty members and staff participated. The Saint Lucian faculty and staff prepared various local delicacies and many wore their local clothing with pride. Mr. Dolor, Nurse Leon, Dr. Cox, Dr. Tellamina, Ms. Cara, Ms. Keitha, Ms. Kafui and Ms. Azizi were among the Saint Lucians who participated. Ms. Amsa and Mr. Elumalai who are permanent residents of the island participated proudly in the celebrations. The members of the AIMU family from outside the island joined their local counterparts in the celebration. Kweyol music was sung and enjoyed. We look forward eagerly to the celebrations next year.