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Social Profile
Food & Drink: The island’s cuisine is characterised by French and Caribbean influences and often features seafood, including lobster, red snapper, conch and sea urchin. Island specialities include stuffed crab, stewed conch, roast wild goat, jugged rabbit and broiled local dove. Colombo is a dish of goat, chicken, pork or lamb in a thick curry sauce. Creole cuisine is also widely available and is an original combination of French, Indian and African traditions seasoned with exotic spices. Meals are ended with tropical fruit.
There is a great supply of French wines, champagne, liqueurs and local rum. Local specialities are ’ti punch, a brew of rum, lime juice, bitters and syrup; shrub, a Christmas liqueur consisting of rum and orange peel; and planteur, made from rum and fruit juice. Guava, soursop, passionfruit, mandarin and sugar-cane juice are all common. There are no licensing restrictions.
Nightlife: There are plenty of restaurants, bars and discotheques, a few casinos, and some displays of local dancing and music. The Ballet Martiniquais is one of the world’s most prestigious traditional ballet companies. Limbo dancers and steel bands are often laid on at hotels in the evenings. The local music, zouk, lively, two-beat music similar to merengue but unique to the French West Indies, can be heard everywhere. Martinicans are very proud of it. The local guide, Choubouloute, contains information on local entertainment and is sold at newsagents.
Shopping: French imports are worthwhile purchases, especially wines, liqueurs and Lalique crystal. Local items include rum, straw goods, bamboo hats, voodoo dolls, baskets and objects of aromatic vetiver roots. A discount of 20 per cent is given if payment is made by travellers cheques in some tourist shops. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1300 and 1500-1800, Sat 0900-1300.
Special Events: The following is a list of events taking place in Martinique during 2003:
Mar Martinique Food Show. Mar 2-5 Carnival. May May of Saint Pierre (centenary commemoration of the eruption of Mount Pelee, with music, dancing, shows etc). May 22 Commemoration of the abolition of slavery (various festivities held throughout the island). Jun Festival de Jazz a la Plantation (jazz music and exhibitions). Jul (amongst other months) Patron Saints Celebrations, various towns and villages. Jul 5-13 Tour de la Martinique (week-long bicycle race). Aug 3-10 Tour des Yoles Rondes (sailing event). Oct International Fishing Competition. Nov International Half Marathon (Fort-de-France). Dec Festival of the Pig (Vauclin); International Jazz Festival; Rum Festival (Sainte Marie).
Social Conventions: The atmosphere is generally relaxed and informal. Casual dress is acceptable everywhere, but formal attire is needed for dining out and nightclubs. Tipping: Ten per cent is acceptable.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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