Dr Odile de Comarmond unveils‘Slavery Sites of Seychelles’

Former Ministry of Education official, Dr. Odile de Comarmond, launched her latest history book, ‘Slavery Sites of Seychelles’ at the National Library on Friday afternoon.

The book, a culmination of extensive re-search spanning several years, is the first installment in Dr de Comarmond’s exploration of the slave trade in Seychelles.

‘Slavery Sites of Seychelles’ is a multilingual publication available in Creole, French, and English. It was produced in collaboration with Colette Gillieaux and supported by the National Arts and Culture Fund.
The book delves into the history and locations associated with slavery in Seychelles, offering a rich tapestry of narratives and insights gathered through research.

Dr de Comarmond’s journey into this historical exploration began during her tenure as a history teacher at Plaisance secondary school, where she led a research club that conducted numerous expeditions and wrote papaers on their finding. Her passion for uncovering and sharing Seychelles’ history was further ignited with the launch of the Unesco Slave Route project in 2002.

“In total, we interviewed over 80 people. Of these interviews, not all were used in this publication, but will be used for other publications,” Dr de Comarmond noted.

Bernard Shamlaye, who introduced Dr de Comarmond at the launch, emphasised the significance of the slave trade in understanding the broader history and development of Seychelles.

“The book about slavery sites in Seychelles presents us with a very valuable contribution on the subject of slavery in Seychelles, a subject which is important for us to know more about, to better understand our history, and build our future,” he remarked.

The launch event also featured an accompanying exhibition that highlighted the various sites detailed in the book, providing attendees with a visual journey through Seychelles’ historical landscape of slavery.

‘Slavery Sites of Seychelles’ is set to hit local bookstores and the National History Museum this week, offering readers a profound insight into an often-overlooked chapter of Seychelles’ history.

The launch was part of activities to mark this year’s FekAfrik which celebrates Africa Day on May 25.

Courtesy : Laura Pillay | Photos by Louis Toussaint (Nation.sc)