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Theculture of Guernsey in the Bailiwick ofGuernsey is a culture which has been shaped by its indigenousNorman language and traditions as well asFrench (especiallyNorman) andBritish (especiallyEnglish) cultural influences. Cultural trends from immigrant communities such as thePortuguese have also been added.
The national animals of the island of Guernsey are thedonkey and theGuernsey cow. The traditional explanation for the donkey (âne in French and Guernésiais) is the steepness ofSt Peter Port streets that necessitated beasts of burden for transport (in contrast to the flat terrain of the rival capital ofSaint Helier inJersey), although it is also used in reference to Guernsey inhabitants' stubbornness who boast that they are "stubborn as a mule, with a kick like a horse!"
The Guernsey cow is a more internationally famous icon of the island. As well as being prized for its rich creamy milk, which is claimed by some to hold health benefits over milk from other breeds,[1] Guernsey cattle are increasingly being raised for their beef, which has a distinctive flavour and rich yellow fat. Although the number of individual islanders raising these cattle for private supply has diminished significantly since the 1960s, Guernsey steers can still be occasionally seen grazing on L'Ancresse common.
There is also a breed of goat known as the Golden Guernsey, which is distinguished by its golden-coloured coat. At the end ofWorld War II, the Golden Guernsey was almost extinct, due tointerbreeding with other varieties on the island. The resurrection of this breed is largely credited to the work of a single woman, Miss Miriam Milbourne. Although no longer considered in a 'critical' status, the breed remains on the "Watch List" of theRare Breeds Survival Trust.[2]
Guernsey people are traditionally nicknameddonkeys orânes, especially by Jersey people (who in turn are nicknamedcrapauds - toads). Inhabitants of each of theparishes of Guernsey also have traditional nicknames, although these have generally dropped out of use among the English-speaking population.
The so-calledGuernsey lily,Nerine sarniensis (Sarnia is the traditional name of the island of Guernsey inLatin), is also used as a symbol of the island.
"Sarnia Cherie" is used as the anthem of Guernsey when a distinguishing anthem is required.
Liberation Day on 9 May is the occasion of large celebrations every year to mark the end of the German occupation in 1945.
Dishes traditional in Guernsey cuisine are the Guernseygâche, a rich fruit bread;gâche mêlaïe, apple pudding;"bean jar", a type ofcassoulet of pork and beans; andconger soup.
A local delicacy is theormer (Haliotis tuberculata), à ce variety of abalone harvested from the beach at low spring tides. Other seafood such asspider crabs, mussels, and lobster are popular.
English is the only language spoken by a majority of the population, whileGuernésiais, the Norman language of the island, is currently spoken fluently by 2% of the population (according to 2001 census). However, 14% of the population claim some understanding of the language and it is taught in a few Island schools. Until the early twentieth century French was the only official language. Family and place names reflect this linguistic heritage such as the word "hougue" from the Norse meaning hill and "vraic" being a type of seaweed.[3] The island's loss of the language reflects a significant anglicisation of its culture and mindset, partly brought on by a large number oftax exiles from England. Portuguese is taught in a few schools and is spoken by around 2% of the population.
Victor Hugo wrote some of his best-known works while in exile in Guernsey, includingLes Misérables. His home in St Peter Port, Hauteville House, is now a museum administered by the city ofParis. In 1866, he published a novel set in the island,Travailleurs de la Mer (Toilers of the Sea), which he dedicated to the island of Guernsey.
The best-known novel by a Guernseyman isThe Book of Ebenezer Le Page, byGB Edwards which, in addition to being a critically acclaimed work of literature, contained insights into life in Guernsey during the twentieth century.[4]
George Métivier, often considered the island's national poet, wrote in Guernésiais. Other important Guernésiais writers areDenys Corbet,Tam Lenfestey,T. H. Mahy andMarjorie Ozanne.
Elizabeth Goudge, the Twentieth century British writer was the daughter of a Guernsey woman. Goudge drew on some of her mother's stories of family and her childhood on the island in her first novelIsland Magic (1934), and laterGreen Dolphin Country (1944: USAGreen Dolphin Street, also an MGM Oscar winning movie), andMake-Believe (1949), a loose sequel of short stories about the du Frocq family ofIsland Magic.
Two radio stations,BBC Guernsey andIsland FM, serve Guernsey.
Guernsey together with the otherChannel Islands hasITV Channel Television, anITV regional franchise. A lot of the content of ITV Channel TV is from/based on Jersey. It produces a daily news programmeITV News Channel TV. From the point of view of television coverage, theBBC has always treated the islands as an extension of theirSouth West England region, relaying programmes fromPlymouth to the islands. (The BBC does now broadcast an opt-out of the regional news bulletin,Spotlight, for the Channel Islands.) This posed a problem to theIndependent Television Authority as, constitutionally, theTelevision Act 1954 did not apply to the islands, so the ITA's ability to operate there had to be permitted by means of extending the Act to the islands by means of anOrder in Council. Due to a technicality that prevented the Channel Islands from receiving colour television, Channel could only broadcast in black and white until 1976. Due to the proximity to France, French television is fairly easily received as well.
TheGuernsey Press and Star is the daily newspaper.
TheReformation broughtCalvinism to the islands and the later strong influence ofMethodism suppressed dancing and secular music. A number of traditional songs and dances have been recorded, and some gentrified dances were collected in the 19th century in Guernsey. "La Bébée" ("the Baby Polka" or "Klatschtanz") is a 19th-century novelty dance which also remains popular with costumedfolklore groups in various parts ofEurope. Some traditional folk songs such asJean, Gros Jean andJ'ai perdu ma faumme have survived. Groups such asLa Guaine du Vouêt andLes Dànsaeurs dé L'Assembllaïe D'Guernésiais perform at events such asLé Viaer Marchi.
According to Edith Carey (1903), the traditionalchifournie had disappeared from Guernsey by the mid-nineteenth century.
John Ireland settled for a time in Guernsey.
Recently, Guernsey has hosted a live music event called Guernsey Live. This music festival has been one of the biggest events in the Channel Islands and sister festival ofJersey Live.
The Music Service in Guernsey is renowned for its high quality of teaching and the effects of this can be seen in the standard of performance of many young people in the island.[6][7]
Guernsey participates in its own right in theCommonwealth Games.
Guernsey participates in theIsland Games, which it hosted in 2003 and 2023. In sporting events in which Guernsey does not have international representation, when the BritishHome Nations are competing separately, islanders that do have high athletic skill may choose to compete for any of the Home Nations - there are, however, restrictions on subsequent transfers to represent another Home Nation. The football playerMatt Le Tissier for example, tried out for theScotland national football team but ended up playing forEngland.
The island's traditional colour (e.g. for sporting events) isgreen.The Corbet Football Field donated byJurat Wilfred Corbet OBE in 1932 has fostered the sport greatly over the years. The annualMuratti match, inaugurated in 1905, between the Channel Islands gives an airing to the traditional rivalry between theGuernsey national football team and Jersey. Similarly theSiam Cup has been fought over by Rugby teams since 1920.
BothGuernsey F.C. andGuernsey RFC compete in England leagues. Women's rugby and football also compete in English leagues.
TheGuernsey Cricket Board is an affiliate member by theInternational Cricket Council (ICC). and theGuernsey cricket team competes in world cricket.
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