Place of event: St. Lucia
Traditionally, these two rival Flower Societies begin what is locally referred to as séances. These séances are essentially weekly meetings held by each group. At these meetings, there is one female singer or a Chantwelle of each Society who has the task of composing Belairs (tunes which are a blend of African and French expressions) which are sung in French Creole. In these songs, the Chantwelle and members give praise to their respective societies, while they light-heartedly disparage their rivals (the other Flower Society) in song and dance. The choruses of these songs are usually sung in unison to the accompaniment of saxophones, violins, the banjo, or any "traditional" musical instrument.
After attending a religious service, members of each Flower Society parade the streets of their community dressed up in imitations of Kings and Queens, princes and princesses, doctors, nurses, policemen and soldiers. These weekly séances culminate in the colourful festivals of the La Rose and La Marguerite.