Religion in Seychelles
Religious Affiliation in the Seychelles (2022 Census)[1]
Christianity is the largest religion in Seychelles, with Roman Catholicism being its largest denomination.[1]
The country is officially secular and its constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and religious practice.
Demographics[edit]
According to the most recent census of 2022, the majority of the population follows Christianity. Most of the Christian were Roman Catholics (61.3%). About 5% are Anglican Christians and 8.6 % follows other sects of Christianity,[1] like Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, Assemblies of God, the Pentecostal Church, Nazarites, Greek Orthodox,[2] and Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Hinduism is the largest non-christian faith in Seychelles followed by 5.4% of its population.[1] Hinduism is followed mostly by the Indo-Seychellois community.
Islam is followed by 2.4% of the population.[1] There is also a small number of followers of Rastafarians, Baha’is and Brahma Kumaris.[3]
Background[edit]
The initial settlers in Seychelles were Roman Catholics, and the country has remained so, despite ineffective British efforts to establish Protestantism in the islands during the nineteenth century.[4] The nation has been a bishopric since 1890, and mission schools had a virtual monopoly on education until the government took over such schools in 1944.[4] Sunday masses are well attended, and religious holidays are celebrated throughout the nation both as opportunities for the devout to practice their faith and as social events.[4] Practicing Catholicism, like speaking French, historically conferred a certain status by associating its adherents with the settlers from France.[4]
Most Anglicans are descendants of families converted by missionaries in the late 19th and early 20th century.[4] Evangelical Protestant churches are active and growing, among them Pentecostals and Seventh-day Adventists.[4] A Hindu temple[5] and mosque exist on Mahé.[6] Some tax exemptions are granted to groups which are registered with the Finance Ministry.[3]
Although the clergy and the civil authorities disapprove, many Seychellois see little inconsistency between their orthodox religious observance and belief in magic, witchcraft, and sorcery.[4] It is not uncommon to consult a local seer - known as a bonom di bwa - for fortune-telling or to obtain protective amulets or charms, called gri-gri, to bring harm to enemies.[4]
Freedom of religion[edit]
In 2023, the country was scored 4 out of 4 for religious freedom.[7]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e "Seychelles Population and Housing Census 2022". National Bureau of Statistics Seychelles. 2024-03-21. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
- ^ Orthodox World website
- ^ a b US State Dept 2022 report
- ^ a b c d e f g h Tartter, Jean R. (1995). "Seychelles: Religion". In Metz, Helen Chapin (ed.). Indian Ocean: five island countries (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. pp. 220–221. ISBN 0-8444-0857-3. OCLC 32508646.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link) - ^ Swaminarayan Faith website
- ^ "Victoria mosque pulled down, makes way for new edifice". Seychelles Nation. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ Freedom House website, retrieved 2023-08-08
- ^ Includes Not Specified, Missing and Unable to classify- data mentioned in the Census
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