(Seychelles News Agency) - Gone are the days when the Miss Seychelles beauty pageant focused only on beauty, the cat walk, and photo shoot. This year, the grooming of the contestants also included brushing up on their French, nutritional advice, and learning the traditional dance.

Since the launching of the Miss Seychelles pageant this year, 14 contestants have taken a journey that culminates with the crowning this Saturday, August 26.

But what does it take to be Miss Seychelles?

SNA looks at the activities the 14 contestants have been involved in for the past two months.

Traditional music and dance

Two Seychellois veterans -- Jerry Souris and Marietta Matombe -- have conducted classes with the contestants, through which they shared their knowledge. Contestants showcased what they learned in the Miss Seychelles Talent show held earlier this month.

There is always the hope that one of them will continue promoting the island nation’s traditional music and dances.

Jerry Souris conducting traditional music classes with contestants. (Michel Desnousse) Photo License: CC-BY

Creole Cuisine

With many tasty local dishes like grilled fish and coconut curry to mention but a few, knowing how to cook comes high on the list. So do we prepare those delicacies which draw flavours from the cinnamon leaf, gloves and thicken with coconut milk?

As part of their cooking programme held at the Seychelles Tourism Academy, the contestants had to prepare traditional Creole dishes. They had to start from the very beginning, including grating the coconut flesh and squeezing the milk out. 

Contestants learning how to cook the Creole dishes at the Seychelles Tourism Academy. (Michel Desnousse) Photo License: CC-BY

Brushing up on French 

Bienvenue aux Seychelles – that is: Welcome to Seychelles. Contestants know it and a whole lot more as they had to brush on their French. The young ladies have been taking lessons at the Alliance Française -- an international organisation that seeks to promote French language and culture around the world.

French, as well as English and Creole, are the three national languages of Seychelles, a group of 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean.

Communication and etiquette

Knowing how to behave appropriately not only makes a person comfortable but others as well. Miss Seychelles is an ambassador for Seychelles so etiquette takes on a whole new meaning and contestants have been working on theirs. Sessions also included communications, protocol, the importance of positive thinking and career ventures, given by local experts.

The 14 contestants are now ready for the finale on Saturday August 26. (Michel Desnousse) Photo License: CC-BY

Team building

The contestants had the chance to live together as part of a team building exercise. They shared a house, the chores, prepared meals together and more importantly bonded and finally conquered their fears through the zip lining exercise.

The 14 contestants are now ready for the finale on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. at the Avani Seychelles Barbarons Resort and Spa.

Meanwhile, online voting is on through Airtel on 9689 and Cable & Wireless on 9688 for Miss People’s Choice.