Cassava Tuesdays: Creole Brand of The Republic of Seychelles

Capital: Victoria
Population: 94,677 (2016)
Official Language Spoken: Seychelles Creole (Seselwa), English and French
 Religion: Christianity, Islam, Bahai and Hinduism

President Danny Faure 

“Seychelles was part of the Paradise Papers, which revealed financial dealings of politicians, celebrities, corporate giants and business leaders.”

— November, 2017

COLONIAL PERIOD 

1502- Vasco Da Gama sailed from India to Africa at his arrival, he named the islands after himself, Les Amirantes (Admiral Islands). He is credited for discovering the island because none of the colored folks within distance ever dared to visit. I mean Seychelles is a hop and skip from two continents, but it took a European to “discover” this Island.

               ESTIMATED SHIP ARRIVALS TO SEYCHELLES

10 days from India
10 days from Saudi Arabia
4 days from Kenya
23 days from Portugal

I find it hard to believe that no one from these spaces “discovered” the island. In the late 1700s, the French colonized Seychelles and will name the island in honor of Viscount Jean Moreau de Sechelles (Minister of Finance, 1727 to 1743).

Portugal's Vasco da Gama explored the Seychelles (1502)

“Seychelles has the highest Gross Domestic Products (GDPs) per capita in Africa ($15,410 in 2016), but increasingly the effects of climate change are placing its economy—which relies heavily on high-end tourism and exports of tuna—at risk.”

— World Bank, 2017

As our other stories with "Empire" and Africa spaces go, there was a struggle from the French, British, Dutch, Arabs, and the Italians. They stopped by the island for precious stones, spices, and slaves. Similarly, to the early stories of Australia, Seychelles was used as a place to hold prisoners or exiles by the British.

Oddly enough, Seychelles keeps Somalian prisoners and it is all funded by the United Nations.

THE CASE OF NUTS AND NEUROTIC SAILORS

Coco De Mer, I am sure you can guess the Male and Female one right?

“World Bank approved a $9 million loan to help indebted Seychelles to restore economic stability.”

— 2009 (It was rough for everyone)

“Seychelles is ranked 93rd out of 190 economies on the Doing Business ”

— Word Bank, 2017

Seychellois Rupee

“
Seychelles is the smallest country in Africa ”

We discussed country branding last year, with the Sega Branding of Mauritius

What is the Creole Brand ? 

BLUE ECONOMICS & SUSTAINABILITY

BLUE ECONOMICS IN 2014

Seychelles relies heavily on tourism but the nation is on a mission to change that. The Island nation is trying to move away from being totally dependent on its tourism sector by developing its blue economy.

“ 40 out of 168 (No ranking available in 2016)”

— Transparency Corruption Perceptions Index, 2015

the outcome  IN 2016 (BRANDING ASSET #1)

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SUSTAINABILITY IN POLICY AND IN PRACTICE (ASSET #2)

The country has also taking a proactive approach instead of a reactive approach to dealing with sustainability and the blue economy of the country. Read below to understand more on the Seychelles Blue Economy Strategic Roadmap.

VISA RELATIONSHIP WITH THE REGION & power of passport? (BRANDING ASSET 3-4)

Country Branding done the right way “CAN” lead a country to the path of Soft Power. Remember, you can have a brand that is “sellable” but have no soft power. Despite the word SOFT, it is not easy to craft or apply into foreign policy. 

The Maldives has a recognizable brand, spectacular views that really are “The sunny side of life” but struggle with poverty and health care.

The Republic of Seychelles was first to scrap visa requirements for other African nations, despite the feelings not been mutual. In return, the country now has the most powerful African passport. The Seychelles passport ranks number 1 in the continent, 26 globally with a total of 141 accessible countries.

“Seychelles is home to one of the heaviest land tortoise, The Aldabra Giant tortoise born in 1846. ”

THE PEOPLE MUST BE CONSIDERED IN THE BRAND? (problem#1)

Marie Josee Bonne, Special Adviser, Ministry of Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports, Seychelles

“Majority of the 115 islands are uninhabited, they are dedicated as nature reserves ”

The Seychelles has one of the most progressive social development policies in the developing world, arguably owing to its size and population of just over 860,000 people. The United Nations, however, believes the policies are workable, even in heavily populated countries. It says the model should be deployed in other African countries.

COUNTRY CARRIER AND TOURISM (ASSET #5) 

We have discussed the importance of a country having a reliable safe country carrier. Air Seychelle might be a small airline but enjoys six major code share partnership agreements with Alitalia, Jet Airways, Air Serbia, Air France, South African Airways, and Etihad Airways that owns 40% of the airline. Tourist can also enjoy authentic creole music on board. Your airline is supposed to celebrate and sell your country brand but with your culture constantly on the background.

The amazing Seychelles Islands...Not just another place,another World ! For a glimpse into this amazing island Nation ,please view the video. For more information about the Seychelles,please visit : www.seychelles.travel

CREOLE CULTURE
 

FOOD CULTURE

The traditional meal for the country is this delicious fruit bat. It can be served as a warm curry, stir fried or in coconut milk. 

SEGGAE MUSIC
 

This is a blend of reggae and sega, very popular with African Island countries. 

SEGGAE MUSIC

Kolonel from Seychelles Island Title : Parey Mon Devret Production : Dreamventure Special Thanks to : Darren Ladine : Hillary Rita

“The use of wood or charcoal is illegal in the island”

 

WE SHALL LEAVE YOU WITH THIS....

Promotional Seychelles Music Video geared in promoting Seychelles artist on an International level... Please feel free to subscribes, rate and view. Share it to your family and friends, Seychelles has been described as a Paradise on Earth, there's your chance to learn a little bit about it vast culture, through it's people's music.

See you next Cassava Tuesday!

Silk Road Thursdays: Cool Japan for Everyone but for Africa, Yadah Yadah ....

LAST TIME WE TOUCHED ON JAPAN...

Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD)

We will touch on an incident that involved TICAD & the U.N Security Council. This is very important to understand the piece of Aid in our series as a soft power tool. While this is a strong soft power tool for the country, it is also a challenge for Japan.

Cultural Diplomacy

We will start here and TICAD much later.........

---

what is yadAH yadah?

George's new girlfriend explains things using 'Yada-yada' to gloss over things.

---

BEFORE WE START OUR STORY....

THE PAST OF JAPAN  & CULTURAL DIPLOMACY 

Cultural Diplomacy from Japan can be a touchy subject for the Asia Pacific Region. This Japan brings back memories of “Empire” and “War”. There is no soft power in this Japan below, this is pure Hard Power and Realism. Depending on you ask, Japan has never apologised for the war.  

“We are not going to apologize every year based on the new elected administration

We are not going to give funds for every new administration

We are not going to apologize for every former minister that speaks harshly about this topic

Take your statues down and then we can speak of shrine visits.”

— Japan to South Korea, China and the Asia Pacific Region

This tension will push Japan to go inside and not invest on Cultural Diplomacy because Japan is viewed through the lenses of this flag.
 

This flag was in use during the Edo period or Tokugawa period (徳川時代) about some 200+ years before the war.
However, it should be noted that this flag is controversial and painful for people of South Korea and China. Think the swastika for Germany, The Confederate Flag in America, Afrikaner Oranje, Blanje, Blou Flag of South Africa and Namibia.

This flag is a reminder of Colonialism and Imperialism.

DOES JAPAN'S DARK CULTURAL DIPLOMACY MATTER TO AFRICA?

There are three major players in Africa from Asia: China, Japan, and South Korea. Currently, there is an unspoken competition between all three on just who can be the most influential friend for Africa but that will be addressed later with TICAD.

In 2013, there were some serious tensions brewing between China and Japan on the role of “influence” and “leadership” with ASEAN. China accused Japan for trying to “assert complete leadership” in the region. 

Just because Japan invested a tiny $1.5 billion into the ASEAN union and I forgot to mention the “soft loans” that topped over $500 million from Japan to Myanmar...... 

Japan has also made sure that with every natural disaster in the Asia Pacific region, before the U.N, International Red Cross, like this Sting song... It is first to help with recovery efforts.
 

I will touch more on ASEAN states later with this blog. The ASEAN way can also serve as a great platform for some African States. Here is a tiny bit about ASEAN.

This competitive relationship between the two is creeping into Africa. 

“So, you understand now that Korea and China would not mind if Japan was out of African Affairs.

There will be no wasabi tears to shed here..

But
This does not mean Korea is simply so happy with the presence of China in Africa.

However, China and Korea could care less for Japan in Africa and for that matter Asia Pacific Affairs.”

— Water & Cassava

COOL JAPAN TO THE WEST LOOKS LIKE

However as with most things (not all), time mends and shapes everything. Japan is now known for its own unique soft power known as Cool Japan. Cool Japan was birth in the 1980’s and since then we are all trying to keep up with the cool factors of Japan. Japan is cool in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia but Africa???

COOL JAPAN & AFRICA OR YADAH...

“... THE LACK OF RESPECT AND AWARENESS OF YOUR COUNTRY IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TRANSLATES TO
YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A MEMBER OF THE OTHER, aka “SUBALTERN”.”

— Water & Cassava

“Antonio Gramsci used this term to refer to people considered infererior be it race, class, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion.

This term is forever stamped in International Relations Theory because of an essay by Gayatri Spivak. She asked a simple question,
Can the Subaltern Speak?

This blog is about Africa and Asia, so I do not see a problem using this word in both spaces. I should note that academically, this word is getting a bit trendy and abused. ”

— Subaltern

At this point of the Water & Cassava Blog you are versed on Soft Power and Cultural Diplomacy. But if you need a refresher, just go back to any Silk Road Thursday Entry or Cassava Tuesday entry. 

“A state’s public diplomacy is a direct response to its culture, foreign policy, and political ideologies.

These three elements drive attraction and create a unique soft power for the respective state.

All three elements must be present for the soft power effect to occur.

Cultural Diplomacy is a soft power tool that occurs during the long-term run while Public Diplomacy focuses on the short-term run of the country.”

— Understanding the complex ties with Japan and Africa through the lenses of China and Korea

Officially the name of the Japanese flag is called Nisshōki ("sun-mark flag"). Commonly people refer to the flag as Hinomaru ("circle of the sun").

AFRICA IN JAPAN POP CULTURE

SIDEBAR #1 : "SOFT CONNECTIONS" CHINA IN AFRICA.

While China's economic and trade impact on Africa has raised global attention, China also runs one of the world's largest short-term training programs. It also gives generous support to 31 Confucius Institutes teaching Mandarin and Chinese culture at many top universities in Africa. So what do Africans feel about the deliverables of China's soft power investment?

“Do you see the problem here? The China culture must be understood and learned but noticed the African leader not advocating that this street be a two-way street. 

Japan can use this as an entry tool to Africa. Korea and China still don’t understand this piece on diplomacy in Africa must be fluid. ”

JAPAN IN AFRICA CULTURE???

Japan does not have a strategic plan in this area for Africa.  It is a yada-yada approach! The assumption here on both sides is, in the name of TICAD all will be great. Diplomacy must be fluid and Soft influences must go both ways. Majority of African leaders suffer from forms of the colonialism disease that range from early stages to fatal stages in development, so they do not invest in their “soft influences”. They have no problem absorbing other soft influences on the behalf of aid and relief. Africa has made no efforts to work on the art and execution of niche diplomacy in Asian spaces.

Culture is an extended arm in International Relations. A successful relationship between Africa and Japan will be expected for Japan not to downplay the role of culture and identity of Africans in Japanese spaces.

 

BUT JAPAN HAS AFRICAN FESTIVALS...

Festivals do not count per-se, because they are just extra pluses towards the city brand. It benefits cities in Japan that have “African themed festivals”, it shows the global stage, “Japan is DIVERSE!!”.

INTERCULTURAL RELATIONS

International Relations can be best described today as Intercultural Relations. The U.S vs. West Asia is a great example on just how the lack of respect and appreciation of Intercultural Relations can bring countries to their knees.

The very definition of International Relations that is “relations with other nations” rests on the shoulders of that each country has unique traditions, social interactions, political dynamics, and intellectual orientations that make up the country. Japan must understand, with interactions towards any African country, it will go favorably if they start to pay attention to those shoulders.  

There is no fluidity in cultural diplomacy between Africa countries and Japan. This is not unique to Japan because China and Korea do not value this or have no clue on a starting point. However, this gap could be the golden ticket of applying “Cool Japan Diplomacy” to Africa. The neglect or underestimation of cultural diplomacy towards Africa by Japan hinders fluid relations but because China and Korea are guilty of this issue, Japan can use this as winning attribute to building on African Affairs.

some examples on how Japan can work on CD with Africa:

• Pop Culture
  Anime and Manga with African Myth and Folklore, Cool Japan!

• Academic
  Educational Exchanges that include professors and students from both spaces. So not just African students going to Japan for graduate studies but Japanese students and professors in Africa Academic spaces. This also means more African Professors and Deans in Japan universities that claim to teach Africa Affairs.
  

“If the Education Sector can appreciate the importance of “French Academics” teaching Francophone studies ....
Then it must have no problem understanding the importance of African Academics teaching African Studies”

• Blue Economics (Beyond Fish)

• AgriMarketing/ Agri-Economics

• “Experimental” Tourism

  LASTLY ON CULTURAL DIPLOMACY

The new diplomatic language of the 21st century diplomat rest on:-

• Do your “friends” and "neighbors" speak and understand your cultural diplomacy?

• Does the global stage speak and understand your cultural diplomacy?

• Are you humanitarian friendly? (Later on this piece)

Cultural Diplomacy is not about countries explaining their “self” onto the global stage. It is based on Cleverness in Cultural Diplomacy. 

“Applying unique intelligence base on culture, history, identity, etc. to build and increase understanding with other countries while simultaneously working on your own interests. Multiple actors, cultural promoters are needed to get this point across....”

— Cleverness in Cultural Diplomacy

JAPAN HAS A MEDIA PROBLEM IN AFRICA

Japan lacks international mass media presence on the global stage to promote its image. The United States has CNN and FOX. The UK has the BBC, but do you know the name of Japan’s international broadcasting channel???

Waiting……….

The NHK network could be key to setting up stronger ties to Africa. What better way to spread your message to your new friends using their language with their faces?

P.S NHK has a KiSwahili Channel but BBC has Pidgin, Hausa and so much more. NHK needs to pick up the pace. 

We leave you with this video of African artist, Dobolo based in Japan.

See you next Silk Road Thursday!

Muldays Mondays: Water Mythology- Spirits & Deities Nigeria, Thailand & Japan

Folklore & Mythology

Last time on Folk & Mythology, I spoke about the result of the uninterrupted imagination birthing folklore and mythology.  This birth of the uninterrupted imagination shapes the identity of people. It allows us to understand a society's traditional identity but more importantly their understanding of relating to other groups.

What happens to the interrupted imagination of a society after colonialism or war? 

Have you observed the prevalence of Western folklore and mythology in Asian and African Spaces?
What about folklore and mythology from Africa and Asia in Western Spaces? Do you remember learning about panchatantra stories? What about Bantu fables? 
 

“What are the consequences from ”modernization” and technology towards societies that abandon traditional folklore and mythology? ”

— Water & Cassava

Asian countries have made significant strides to celebrate their folklore and mythology out loud in public spaces. They do not feel "uncivilized" or that their "salvation" might end. 

THAILAND

Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok, Thailand (Departure Gate)-Samudra Manthan
(The Churning of the Ocean of Milk)

A Short Video on how just how this started

The short movie here: the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, is the introduction to a Keynote/ slideshow introduction on Ayurveda. (The link to view the whole presentation is below). I have tried to present the story of Ayurveda, so that, like its name (Ayu-Life and Veda-Knowledge) the story would give anyone an understanding of the fundamental principles of this ancient Medical system.

Folklore and Mythology are part of a society's cultural heritage and  play a  role in the branding of the country.  Developed countries have mastered the art of making their mythology and folklore romantic and  marketable to the global community.  

Snow White, a Germanic classic fairy tale is currently marketed to young girl as this:

However, this is the Original Story of Snow White

Disney World has mastered the art of marketing European Folklore and Mythology in Western spaces and in Asia with locations in Japan and China. However there are no such theme parks  in the West, or in Asia and Africa that continuously promote the folklore or mythology from those spaces. Disney World resorts worldwide allow guests to meet Snow White, Ariel and even sleep in Cinderella's Castle. Disney World resorts in 2016 made a profit of $4.6 billion dollars. 

The Cinderella Castle Suite at Walt Disney World. 

“Should we blame Cultural Cringe for the absence of theme parks that promote folklore & Mythology originating from Africa & Asia?”

— Water & Cassava

SPIRITS & DIETIES OF THE OCEAN: JAPAN & NIGERIA

JAPAN

As most stories found in mythology and folklore often begin, it stems from the imagination’s desire to survive and create a habitable world in this life and the afterlife. Without further ado, here are the Gods of the Ocean from Nigeria and Japan. 

SUIJIN(SUITEN-水天), GOD OF WATER IN JAPANESE shinto MYTHOLOGY

Suijin Festival

Suijin in Shinto mythology is the force found in water. This force manifests sometimes as a snake, whale or fish and has a pair of funa fish as messengers. Suijin is part of the divinity force that makes up the shinto divinity of water. This manifestation can be found in ocean, lakes, ponds and is god or goddess to all mythical creatures found in bodies of water. Suijin is also prayed to by expecting mothers to be during childbirth. This force is also charged with the responsibility of fertility, motherhood, and easy childbirth. It should be noted that Suijin is described as male or female . 

NIGERIA

OLOKUN-NIGERIAN-THE YORUBA GOD(GODDESS) OF WATER

Olokun Seniade

I grew up knowing this entity as a God(shaped like a merman) but there are populations that refer to this entity as a goddess. As our mentioned Japanese counterpart, he is expected to help women conceive. He appears as a mudfish as well as a black mermaid. Olokun is a manifestation known as a Orisha. Orisha's are manifestations of the universal GOD known as Olorun. He is also responsible for all mythical creatures found in bodies of water. 

Olokun Festival

There is a profitable market for the commercialization of cultural heritage tangibles and intangibles such as folklore and mythology unfortunately African countries have not mastered the art of this unique form of branding.

Cassava Tuesdays: Cape Verde

We will be back next Cassava Tuesday!

Our first Lusophone Country for Cassava Tuesdays will be Cape Verde. There is a reason for the use of Cape Verde and Cabo Verde.... Hrrrggggh, What is in a name? We will discuss next time!

Cape Verde has no Soft Power but there is potential to build on a brand thanks to their Blue Economy.

Are you aware that Cape Verde has the second-best education system in Africa?
 

We will start with Amílcar Lopes da Costa Cabral and end with the branding possibilities for this island country. 

In the meantime, please enjoy the legendary Barefoot Diva, Cesária Évo from Cape Verde

Cesária Évora - Sodade Official music video - corrected and better HD sound

Silk Road Thursdays: Cool Japan and Africa

……MISSING IN ACTION

African Lab- The 1st Young Asian Africanist Camp

Better Together 2017 -World Culture Open Korea

....BACK TO COOL  JAPAN

We will discuss the soft power assets and possibilities of Japan in two series: Cultural Diplomacy and Aid.

You do understand how soft power works by now right? With this song by the Disco Gods...

Soft Power is understanding that attraction is key to get what you want and not by force. Countries are only as attractive to others based on culture, policies, and ideologies the country holds dear. 

EXPECTATIONS

Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD)

We will touch on an incident that involved TICAD & the U.N Security Council. This is very important to understand the piece of Aid in our series as a soft power tool. While this is a strong soft power tool for the country, it is also a challenge for Japan.

Cultural Diplomacy

Japan does not have a strategic plan in this area for Africa. There is no fluidity in cultural diplomacy of Africa countries and Japan, but this is not unique to Japan. However, this could be the golden ticket of applying “Cool Japan Diplomacy” to Africa. Anime and Manga in Africa is not cool but infused some of African Myth and Folklore, I got you your Cool Japan!

See you next Silk Road Thursdays