Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions

Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions Martinique: A Bit of History

Surrounded by numerous mountains or "mornes" in the local language, the town of Saint-Esprit, nestled at the confluence of the Coulisses River and the Cacaos River, saw its activity accelerate since the 1870s thanks to sugar cane processing factories operating at full capacity. A stroll through the picturesque streets of the town center with its perfectly restored 18th-century houses is enough to understand how significant Saint-Esprit was as an economic hub.

Journey into the Past

The museum, located in the buildings of the former college, comprises three rooms:

• "Les Coulisses," the former name of the town, focuses on narrating the geology of Martinique, whose history dates back 12 million years with the formation of the Caravelle Peninsula and Saint-Anne, both made up of coral reefs.

• "Gran Kay," the second room, displays traditional furniture from the master's houses: tables, mahogany or rosewood buffets, silverware with the Paris hallmark, and Creole costumes are also presented.

• As for the third room, "La Ri Kaz Nèg," it invites you to discover agricultural life and features an authentic "case" made of "bois ti baume," a shrub from the dry forests of Martinique. A typical lightweight construction in the Caribbean, this traditional dwelling was built in harmony with nature: vetiver for insulation, ti baume for walls, Caribbean pear tree for the posts, and bundles of dried sugar cane leaves for the roof. Inside, you'll find objects from daily life for an emotionally immersive journey into the history and life of the past. You'll learn more about the operation of the registry.

The Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions is the main attraction of the town of Saint-Esprit, and a visit will provide you with emotions and knowledge to pass on to future generations.

A Museum in Martinique Highlighting Culture and Traditions in the Southern Area

Local art and traditions take center stage in the town of Saint-Esprit, which places great importance on promoting artistic expression through numerous events and introductory workshops in amateur artistic practices, both for young and old.

It's worth noting the presence of numerous cultural associations, each with its own specialty: choir singing, traditional dances, majorettes, commemorations of historical events, Latin dances, theater, showcasing period costumes, and initiatives for the preservation of heritage.

There is also a media library that allows access to resources from the entire network of libraries and media libraries in the southern part of the island, comprising about a dozen facilities.