Africa-Press – Seychelles. The Creative Seychelles Agency (CSA) within the Seychelles Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts (Snicha) has reopened the Mize Koko at Domaine de Val des Pres.
The museum, dedicated to the coconut tree known as ‘the tree of life’, was opened by the secretary general of Snicha, David Andre, and the executive director of CSA, Emmanuel D’Offay.
This was in the presence of Designated Minister Jean François Ferrari; the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Roger Mancienne; the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde; members of the National Assembly and of the diplomatic corps; among other guest.
Made entirely from coconut wood nearly 20 years ago, the museum which has been closed down for a number of years, is situated next to the Maison Marengo restaurant. It is attached to ‘Kafoul’, a souvenir shop and ‘Kalou, a craft studio, run by two disabled artisans – Danilo Albert and Michel Barra, whose products are entirely based on raw materials from coconut tree.
The museum is a first of its kind in the Indian Ocean which will be a further attraction to the arts, crafts and culinary activities at the village. Visitors coming to the museum will be able to see a carefully curated display which features informative texts, captive photographs and authentic artifacts made from the trunk, leaves and fruits of the coconut tree. These include, Balye koko (coconut broom), Lantonwanr (funnel), lalanp delwil koko (coconut oil lamp), tanmi koko (tanmi cloth), jewelry, accessories for jewelry, hats, bags, kapatya (basket made of palm leaves) bros koko (coconut brush), delwil koko (coconut oil) to name a few, among many traditional equipment and utensils used in connection with the coconut tree.
The entrance to the museum is R25 for residents and R100 for non-residents. The entrance is free for children under 18 years of age and for the elderly. The museum opens on Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm.
Addressing the gathering, Mr D’Offay said that the coconut tree which provides those living on islands with food, shelter and raw materials, embodies a symbolism and depth of relationship with man that is nearly unsurpassed in the plant kingdom.
He noted that in the midst of seemingly numberless devastating environmental crisis and rapid declining health of many people around the world, the coconut returns to our awareness in terms of the bounty of nature, the power of simplicity, the traditional practices, the generosity and wisdom of nature.
“Ladies and gentlemen, you will agree with me that the opening of Mize Koko has come at an opportune moment in the history of our country. It is time to think about the future of our coconut industry and its economic benefits, and together let us forge the way forward. Seychelles Creation Agency with all its partners will work to revive this industry, especially in its creative sector,” said Mr D’Offay.
Mr D’Offay noted that in the future, the area around the museum will be developed into a Coconut Village culminating in a yearly coconut festival expected to be celebrated on September 2, the International Coconut Day.
He also took the opportunity to call on everyone to assist in the publication of a book entitled ‘Coconut the tree of life’ to complement the museum in the near future.
The reopening was also marked by live demonstrations of coconut de-husking, rapping and the making of the traditional kapatya and hats from palm leaves.
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