Hear
Kwéyòl

The language spoken in kitchens, on verandas, at wakes and festivals. French roots, African rhythm, entirely Dominican.

Listen and learn
Dominican elder sharing a story on a Creole veranda
Traditional Dominican drum held by a cultural performer
03Learn Kwéyòl

Begin with
the everyday

Tap the speaker, hear the phrase and let the rhythm come before perfection.

01

Bonjou

/bon-zhoo/

Good morning

02

Sa ka fèt?

/sah kah fet/

What is happening?

03

Mwen byen

/mwen bee-en/

I am well

04

Mèsi an chay

/meh-see ahn shy/

Thank you very much

Creole musicians playing drums and accordion by firelight
04Music & Rhythm

The drum
speaks first

Bélé, cadence-lypso and lapo kabwit turn language into movement. The call begins; the village answers.

05Traditions & Everyday Life
Hands preparing traditional Creole ingredients

Culture lives in ordinary moments

01

The kitchen

Callaloo simmers while stories travel from one generation to the next.

02

The village fête

Madras, music and shared food turn the street into a gathering place.

03

The wake night

Songs, dominoes and tiwéy keep memory present through the night.

Creole food prepared by hand
Traditional dancers moving to Creole rhythm
Dominica's Creole cultural celebration