Saint Lucia is an Island nation in the Caribbean. Other facts about Saint Lucia is that is in the eastern Caribbean, and has two distinctive mountains on its west coast. The capital of Saint Lucia is Castries, where cruise ships usually stop. It has nice beaches and reef-diving sites. Saint Lucia’s interior has rain forests with nice waterfalls.
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Population: 182,273 (2013)
Capital: Castries
Currency: East Caribbean dollar
Monarch: Elizabeth 11
Governor-General: Pearlette Louisy
Prime Minister: Allen Chastanet
System of Government: Monarchy
Official Language: English
Weird Facts About Saint Lucia
Below here are ten other facts about Saint Lucia which you would like to know…..
1. GREETING RITUAL
In casual greeting, men usually “jam fists” or do what is called “chop knuckle” in certain circles. After the fists-jam, they then tap their chests (usually over their heart). This serves as a handshake. But in more formal settings, men shake hands normally.
2. DIRECT, BUT NOT TOO DIRECT
Direct eye contact is acceptable. But too much of it is not. In fact, too much direct eye contact can be considered staring. And of course, staring is rude. A quick glance now and then can be just okay. But if you are in a face-to-face chat with someone here, you would need to use good judgment.
3. MATRIARCHAL SOCIETY
Saint Lucia is more matriarchal than patriarchal. On this island, women are usually totally in charge of the household. They run the household and raise their children. And in most cases, they do this with little or no help from men.
4. FEMALE EDUCATION FAVORED
From a young age, girls get more push than boys to get an education. This continues on into college and further. For this reason, more and more women are taking leading professional roles and careers while men continue in unskilled labors.
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5. NO SOCIAL ORDER
Crime or no crime, social order is very lacking! First come, first served is almost alien to the island. For example, it is hardly possible to see people waiting in a queue for anything. So aggression is generally encouraged. People just push their ways to the front of the line!
6. MORE MARIJUANA, LESS CIGARETTE
Cigarette smoking is rare on the island. But marijuana is smoked by many young people, even females. This may be as a result of the fact that marijuana is very available. Sometimes this is done even in the open. It is relatively prevalent and just mildly regulated.
7. POPULAR CELEBRATIONS
In Saint Lucia, celebrations to mark rites of passage are seen as more important than all others. These include:
- Christening
- Confirmations
- Weddings
- Funerals
Others such as Christmas, New Year, and Easter are not especially marked with so much pomp and pageantry.
8. LATE MARRIAGES
Most marriages are contracted by consenting adults around middle age. Before then, there are two things usually practiced: “Friending” and cohabiting. These both lead to having children and a few other things seen in marriage arrangement.
9. LARGE FAMILIES
Family or household compositions are not clearly defined. You could see nuclear families. But you could also see families so large and extended there are three generations of relatives under a women headship with no male in residence at all.
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10. DUAL MEDICAL PRACTICES
There are many who practice traditional alternative medical therapies. There is a whole range of such on the island. There is the use of locally grown plants and herbs, combined in a variety of tinctures, poultices, and remedies. There are also the practitioners of Obeah, locally known as tchenbwaorzeb. These practitioners treat not only medical ailments but also spells, mental afflictions, and troubles of a supernatural origin.
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