Global Research Shines Spotlight on Seychelles’ Ocean Culture and Climate Resilience
Seychelles is stepping into the global academic spotlight, not for its beaches, but for its deep cultural connection to the ocean.
Renowned anthropologist Prof Rosabelle Boswell recently visited the country to share groundbreaking research on ocean cultures and heritage, placing Seychelles at the centre of an important global conversation about climate change, resilience, and identity.
Her work, presented at the Seychelles Maritime Academy, forms part of a collaboration between the University of Seychelles and Nelson Mandela University. It contributes to major international publications, including Quantum Coasts and Coastal Worlds, both of which feature insights and contributions from Seychellois communities.
At the heart of her research is a powerful idea: that Seychelles is a society living between land and sea, where culture, survival, and identity are shaped by both environments. This concept, often described as “from ridge to reef,” reflects how deeply intertwined the natural world is with daily life in the islands.
But alongside praise, there is also a warning. Prof Boswell stressed that small island states like Seychelles remain highly vulnerable to global economic shocks and climate change. However, she argues that the country’s greatest strength lies in its people, traditions, and indigenous knowledge systems.
From traditional fishing practices to local food systems and oral histories, Seychelles holds a wealth of untold stories that could shape future climate solutions and cultural preservation efforts.
Her message is clear: the world has much to learn from Seychelles, but only if these stories are documented, protected, and shared.
