Abstract
Carnival in French Guiana is a time for coming together and subversion, combining entertainment, artistic creation and cultural affirmation. Over the years, carnival-goers have forged a unique identity that blends African and Amerindian rhythms and traditions with European festivities. These are showcased through the cultural skills of the characters and masks, the melodies and dance styles, and the culinary and cosmetic preparations used by the carnival-goers. These practices, now organised into rituals, have been passed down through the generations and are one of the elements of memory. An interdisciplinary approach combining the humanities and social sciences with the sciences of health will be used to study the practices of carnival-goers in French Guiana. The thesis is based around two research questions: 1) the evolution and adaptation of the carnival to the context of French Guiana in relation to the Latin American basin, and 2) highlighting the use of biodiversity, particularly during the carnival preparation programmes.