Did you know…

…that our early ancestors called St.Lucia“Iyanoloa” which means Land of the Iguanas?St.Lucia is such a gem that the English and French fought for ownership of the island 14 times. They both ruled seven times each. And, because it switched between British and French control so many times, Saint Lucia has been nicknamed ‘the Helen of the West Indies’, a reference to the battle over Helen of Troy. ​

Who was Helen of Troy?
The most beautiful woman in the world, a representation of ideal beauty according to Greek mythology. ​And, just in case you’re wondering where the capital of St.Lucia got its name – well – in 1785 it was named after the French Minister of the colonies, Charles Eugène Gabriel de La Croix, marquis de Castries.

But Castries wasn’t always the capital of St.Lucia – Soufriere was. And  ‘Soufriere’ by the way is a French term that means, “sulphur in the air”.

Saint Lucia was named after the patron saint of Syracuse, Saint Lucy who by the way is the patron saint of the blind and those with eye problems. And so, it is by no coincidence that our National Day December 13th is also called the festival of Lights.

​The Amerindians called it, “Ioüanalao” meaning “there where the iguana is found” and the Arawaks “Hewanorra”. But in the 16th century when the French took over the island they called it Sainte-Lucie.

And now Manmay LaKay, you’re in the know!​