This project is part of ‘Indian Ocean Historical Sound Archive: collecting, safeguarding and sharing musical heritage’. It is co-financed by the Interreg VI Indian Ocean 2021-2027 programme, the French Embassy in the Seychelles, the Regional Council of Reunion, the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, and the Departmental Council of Reunion. It follows on from organological studies conducted in Mayotte in 2022 and Reunion in 2023. Building on this work, the PHOI team carried out a collection mission in the Seychelles during October and November 2025.

These accounts, gathered mainly from musicians and instrument makers, aim to celebrate Seychellois musical practices as well as raise awareness of them, ensuring their transmission and longevity for future generations. They offer the general public a chance to rediscover — or indeed discover — traditions, both past and present, as well as the instruments that enrich the region’s varied and diverse identity.

In these podcast episodes, the musicians also share insights into their professional journeys and the day-to-day realities of their work. They provide an overview of cultural life across the Seychelles, touching on ongoing dynamics as well as the difficulties and challenges they face. These testimonies thus shed valuable light on the current state of the music sector in the Seychelles.

In this episode, Paul Étienne (born 1961) looks back on a musical career that began during his teens. One of five brothers who were all musicians, he joined them on stage when he was 13, performing at the all-night dances which took place from 8pm until 5am. It was in this lively atmosphere that he made his debut, first on the triyang, then later on the guitar and accordion. While playing in hotels with various groups, he discovered kanmtole, and gradually became a more professional musician. Having taken up the drums in earnest, he performed daily with one of his brothers in the band ‘Happy Islander’. This firmly established his presence on the Seychellois music scene. In time, he joined the National Troupe, where he met Camille France Azémia, known as ‘Karouzin’ (frontman of the group ‘Lansiv’). The two of them toured far and wide, promoting traditional Seychellois music abroad. Today, Paul Étienne plays violin in Lansiv and continues to tour with just as much enthusiasm as before. For him, music remains an endless source of joy. More than just a passion, it is a lifelong commitment, and he insists that he will never ever stop playing.

Fanie Précourt