Colors of Diamant - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

French influence has found its reflection in national traditions. A large part of local people is fluent in the French and Creole languages. Locals are peaceful and good-tempered people. They are friendly and treat tourists with respect. That said, they can be sometimes short-tempered, and tourists can sometimes notice that. When exploring streets of the town, vacationers can sometimes see people emotionally discussing something in a raised voice and using emotional gestures. However, the latter peculiarity is more like a local way to communicate as these gestures do not have a negative meaning and do not display anger or rage.

Local people like to share their opinion on different problems, but they treat opponents’ opinions with respect and understanding. Different opinions on the same subject will never become a reason for a quarrel and will more likely become the reason for a very interesting talk. Travelers, who want to show respect for local traditions, should learn several phrases on the local language. Locals like when foreigners try to speak their language.

Beguine music remains one of the major national treasures. Beguine is somewhat reminiscent of traditional French motifs that are skillfully mixed with energetic African rhythms. All lucky tourists, who visit Le Diamant during national holidays, will be able to witness colorful music performances. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

There are no strict rules regarding the looks and dress code on the island. Tourists should keep in mind that vacationers in too bright or revealing clothes might be not permitted to enter governmental establishments, prestigious restaurants, and religious landmarks. Luxurious outfits are not mandatory for official events. Classic style will fit any occasion. Local people seem to be more active in the afternoon. Lunch is quite late, and dinner can often end closer to midnight.

Local people prefer to have fun outside in the evening rather than relaxing at home. That is why entertainment venues and bars are usually crowded in the evening. Vacationers should keep that in mind and book a table in the restaurant of choice beforehand. The staff of restaurants and bars is accustomed to a big number of foreign guests, so they are always ready to answer all questions. As a rule, local restaurants have menus written in French. Names of some exotic dishes are so mysterious that it is even hard to imagine what ingredients they contain. Large hotels and luxurious restaurants can have an English menu and staff that speaks both French and English.

When it comes to describing the local menu, it is better to start with the main ingredients that local people use to cook food. Seafood, rice, and fruit with vegetables are the most typical ingredients in the national cuisine of Le Diamant. Vacationers will find it interesting to try such local delicacies as Farse a crab (stuffed crab with spices), Blaff (seafood soup), Chatrou (boiled octopus), Colombo (an authentic local spice that can be added to pork, goat or lamb meat), and Cribiche (roasted crayfish). Local drinks will not leave travelers indifferent. Consider trying guava juice, as well as passion fruit and soursop fruit juice. When it comes to alcoholic drinks, it is important to mention locally produced rum and cocktails with a rum-based punch.

As Martinique has been a French territory for a long time (some even informally call the island “France in the Caribbean”), French traditions mixed with Caribbean traditions are dominating in the region. It is a very interesting combination. Local people celebrate many French national holidays, such as Bastille Day on June 14 or Fête de la Musique (the International Music Day) on June 21. Religious holidays are also important for the region. Easter, Holy Week, The Dormition of the Mother of God on August 15, All Saints' Day, and Christmas are the most popular. When it comes to national holidays, Victory in Europe on May 8 and the Abolition of Slavery Day on May 22 are also popular in the region.

Festivals on the southern resort of Martinique are always about the trouble-free and merry atmosphere. They have everything that tourists expect to find on the Caribbean Islands. Perhaps, Vaval Carnival is the most famous and widely celebrated event on Martinique. The whole island participates in the celebration. The carnival takes place at the end of February or at the beginning of March. This is the time when local people put on interesting costumes and participate in festive parades on the streets of their towns. Every year, the festival has new requirements for the costumes. For example, participants can be obliged to wear clothes of the opposite gender. Only during the carnival visitors can watch a “jocose wedding” or see people dressed as demons, evil spirits, and witches. Moreover, everyone is welcome to participate in the election of the king of the carnival who is called Vaval. The atmosphere of absolute fun and happiness makes everyone forget about their problems and troubles. Music, dancing, festive processions, theatre performances, and after parties only make the carnival even more exciting and unforgettable.

In June, vacationers will find it interesting to visit International Hiking Festival that lasts a whole month. As Le Diamant is a wonderful destination for hiking tours, this festival definitely deserves a visit. It is an incredible event, during which visitors will have an opportunity to try rock-climbing, kayaking, rafting, and exploring rainforests along the coast. Needless to say, it is a perfect time to enjoy the nature of Le Diamant.

In May, there is a very interesting event for all fans of surfing, namely, Windsurfing Competitions that take place on the picturesque coast of Le Diamant. It is important to mention that the southern coast of Martinique is perfect for all kinds of surfing, as well as for kite surfing, diving, and SUP boarding. During the festival, guests of the island are welcome to try all these activities or simply watch exciting windsurfing competitions and cheer the team they like the most. By the way, people of absolutely all ages participate in this competition. There is no age limit for surfing, and visitors of the festival will see the proof of that with their own eyes.

By visiting Le Diamant at the end of June, vacationers are just in time for Festival Art & Musique. This is a three-day-long event, during which attendees can enjoy art and music, colorful parades and master classes, yoga, and dancing. Of course, such popular beach sports as kite surfing, volleyball, windsurfing, and diving are also present in the event’s schedule. Organizers of the festival do not forget about children. During Festival Art & Musique, a whole “village” is installed for children. It is a large playground with various entertainments, which is so popular that kids do not want to leave it. When it comes to describing the local menu, it is better to start with the main ingredients that local people use to cook food. Seafood, rice, and fruit with vegetables are the most typical ingredients in the national cuisine of Le Diamant. Vacationers will find it interesting to try such local delicacies as Farse a crab (stuffed crab with spices), Blaff (seafood soup), Chatrou (boiled octopus), Colombo (an authentic local spice that can be added to pork, goat or lamb meat), and Cribiche (roasted crayfish). Local drinks will not leave travelers indifferent. Consider trying guava juice, as well as passion fruit and soursop fruit juice. When it comes to alcoholic drinks, it is important to mention locally produced rum and cocktails with a rum-based punch.

As Martinique has been a French territory for a long time (some even informally call the island “France in the Caribbean”), French traditions mixed with Caribbean traditions are dominating in the region. It is a very interesting combination. Local people celebrate many French national holidays, such as Bastille Day on June 14 or Fête de la Musique (the International Music Day) on June 21. Religious holidays are also important for the region. Easter, Holy Week, The Dormition of the Mother of God on August 15, All Saints' Day, and Christmas are the most popular. When it comes to national holidays, Victory in Europe on May 8 and the Abolition of Slavery Day on May 22 are also popular in the region.

Festivals on the southern resort of Martinique are always about the trouble-free and merry atmosphere. They have everything that tourists expect to find on the Caribbean Islands. Perhaps, Vaval Carnival is the most famous and widely celebrated event on Martinique. The whole island participates in the celebration. The carnival takes place at the end of February or at the beginning of March. This is the time when local people put on interesting costumes and participate in festive parades on the streets of their towns. Every year, the festival has new requirements for the costumes. For example, participants can be obliged to wear clothes of the opposite gender. Only during the carnival visitors can watch a “jocose wedding” or see people dressed as demons, evil spirits, and witches. Moreover, everyone is welcome to participate in the election of the king of the carnival who is called Vaval. The atmosphere of absolute fun and happiness makes everyone forget about their problems and troubles. Music, dancing, festive processions, theatre performances, and after parties only make the carnival even more exciting and unforgettable.

In June, vacationers will find it interesting to visit International Hiking Festival that lasts a whole month. As Le Diamant is a wonderful destination for hiking tours, this festival definitely deserves a visit. It is an incredible event, during which visitors will have an opportunity to try rock-climbing, kayaking, rafting, and exploring rainforests along the coast. Needless to say, it is a perfect time to enjoy the nature of Le Diamant.

In May, there is a very interesting event for all fans of surfing, namely, Windsurfing Competitions that take place on the picturesque coast of Le Diamant. It is important to mention that the southern coast of Martinique is perfect for all kinds of surfing, as well as for kite surfing, diving, and SUP boarding. During the festival, guests of the island are welcome to try all these activities or simply watch exciting windsurfing competitions and cheer the team they like the most. By the way, people of absolutely all ages participate in this competition. There is no age limit for surfing, and visitors of the festival will see the proof of that with their own eyes.

By visiting Le Diamant at the end of June, vacationers are just in time for Festival Art & Musique. This is a three-day-long event, during which attendees can enjoy art and music, colorful parades and master classes, yoga, and dancing. Of course, such popular beach sports as kite surfing, volleyball, windsurfing, and diving are also present in the event’s schedule. Organizers of the festival do not forget about children. During Festival Art & Musique, a whole “village” is installed for children. It is a large playground with various entertainments, which is so popular that kids do not want to leave it.