La Woz

"La Woz" ("The Rose") is a festival held every August in Saint Lucia. The name refers to one of two "sociétés", the other being "La Magawit" ("The Marguerite"), which holds its festival in October.

The names "La Woz" and "La Magawit" are in the local Creole (Kweyol) language, that combines a European vocabulary with a West African based grammar.

The "societés" of Saint Lucia

Origin and nature

Saint Lucia has two "sociétés" named after two flowers. The societies originated in co-operative work groups like the "dokpwé" in Dahomey, formed with the idea of mutual support, and assistance in time of trouble. A similar phenomenon exists in the "coumbite" of Haiti. At the time of Saint Lucia's Independence, when the national symbols – tree, bird, flower etc – were being defined, St Lucia chose to have two flowers, a rose and a marguerite. The marguerite is not a daisy but a small magenta coloured globe flower, rather like a clover.

In former years the St Lucian society was split in affiliation to one or the other group. At times membership has been illegal, and it has also been condemned by the Roman Catholic Church. The practice has survived from the time of slavery, although it has been modified.

As the general society changed, so did the "sociétés", becoming more commercial and money-oriented. Other organisations were created to save money, and to provide a safety net in time of trouble. Nowadays the objective is largely solidarity through recreation.

Organization

The "société" forms itself into a "court", a microcosm of civil society. Positions held are often hereditary – a particular family will produce a La Woz king, another produce the queen etc. All through the year, but with greater frequency leading up to the festival, "séances" are held, practice and organising sessions of song and dance.

An important member of the group is the "chantwèl", generally a woman, who leads and sometimes composes the songs, and acts generally as a marshall to organise and mobilise the group. Each group has its own band. The group organises itself into a King and Queen, Prince and Princess, Doctor, Magistrate, policemen, nurses, soldiers. Everyone can have a role and a costume. The costumes are as gorgeous as can be contrived from the money collected by the group.

The festival of The Rose

The colour theme for the Roses is red or red and white. The Queen and Princess wear long satiny dresses, decorated with lace and spangles. The King and Prince wear formal suits, with decorated sashes. Each of these characters has a crown. Other members of the group wear costumes appropriate to their characters. The "chantwèl" carries a bouquet of roses which she waves to encourage the singing.

On the Feast of St Rose of Lima, August 30, the Roses proceed to church. After the service there is a banquet with singing, dancing and music. The songs praise the Roses and taunt the Magwits, their traditional rivals.

La Woz symbolises civil society, dresses itself in European clothes but has an African tradition, and uses the Creole language.