The French colonized Grenada twice during its pre-independence history. The first period was for 114 years from 1649 to 1763. The second period was from 1779 to 1783. Thus, Grenada was under a French rule for 118 years.
Grenada was purchased by a French man named Du Parquet in 1650. Du Parquet ran into financial problems and Grenada was resold to Comte de Cerrillac in 1664.
While as a French colony, many aspects of Grenada were named with French names including parishes, villages and family surnames. Further, French influence can be found in our cultural traditions including Jab Jab and bélé dance. The patois language that is now extinct was formed as a Creole language stemming from the merging together of English and French words. Therefore, the influence of the French on the island is long lasting, and impactful as part of the Grenadian identity.
Original Parish names
The six parishes on mainland Grenada had French names.
Basseterre (St. George)
Ance Gouyave (St. John)
Grand Pauvre (St. Mark)
Sauteurs (St. Patrick)
Grand Marquis (St. Andrew)
Maigrin (St. David)
Names of Villages
There are over 70 villages with French names in Grenada. They include:
Beaulieu
Beausejour
Beauregard
Belair
Belle Isle
Belle Plain
Bellevue
Belmont
Belvidiére
Bonair
Café
Calliste
Carriere
Champ Fleurs
Chantimelle
Clozier
Concord
Crochu
Darbeau
Duquesque
Fontenoy
Gouyave
Grand bras
Grand Anse
Grand étang
Grand mal
Grand Roy
Gros Point
Jean Anglais
L'Esterre
La Poterie
La Baye
La Digue
La Femme
La Fillette
La Fortune
La Mode
La Sagesse
La Tante
La Taste
La Borie
Lance aux epines
Mardigras
Marigot
Marquis
Mirabeau
Moliniere
Mont Toute
Morne Delice
Morne Rouge
Morne Longue
Non Pariel
Palmiste
Perdmontemps
Petit Bacaye
Petit Esperance
Pomme Rose
Point Salines
Plaisance
Requin
Sans Souci
Sauteurs
Thebaide
Tivoli
Tuilleries
Vincennes
Vendome
Surnames of French origin
There are family surnames of French origin among the populace. Examples are:
Chateau
La Guerre
Pierre
Du Bois
Rogier
La touche
Lambert
Allard
De Roche
Toussaint
Du Point
Bernard
French words in Grenadian living and culture
There are several words that are referred to on a daily basis whose root is French. These words form part of the Creole language that is known as patois. Here are some examples:
twavo - Someone who does road or repair work
tout bagay - everything
vaykivay - come what may in reference to someone who has to care or worries
vini - to come
tanti - aunt
Jouvert - early morning
kapich - to flatter someone by agreeing with them
flambo - torch
dingolé - to dance down in a party
Overall, the French has had a lasting influence on Grenada's heritage.
Source:
Mwen KA Alé, The French-Lexicon Creole of Grenada, by Marise La Grenada-Lashley
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