Life Style in Mauritius
Culture
Over half the population of Mauritius is Hindu and roughly another
fifth is Muslim; both groups descend from labourers brought to
the island by the British to work the cane fields. While some
of the resident Chinese and Sino-Mauritians were also brought
over as labourers, most came to Mauritius as entrepreneurs, and
many still control the lion's share of village-based commerce.
The remaining population is composed mainly of Créoles,
descendants of African slaves, and Franco-Mauritians, the original
settlers of the island. Franco-Mauritians, who make up about 2%
of the population, still control many of the sugar plantations,
although many emigrated to South Africa and France following independence.
English is the official language of the island, though you're
bound to hear French, Créole (a melange of French and various
African dialects) and a smattering of Indian languages. The island's
main contribution to the performing arts is the Créole
séga, a foot-shuffling, body-gyrating, downright erotic
dance that's generally performed on the beach to the rhythm of
Latin American, Caribbean and African pop. Séga variations
to Créole music are popular in the island's discos and
are certainly more entertaining than the well-choreographed 'cultural
shows' you'll see in hotel lounges.
Probably the most famous novel set in Mauritius is Paul et Virginie,
a rather sappy love story by French author Bernadin de St Pierre
that you'll find reference to across the island. Famous Mauritian
authors include Malcom de Chazal, Robert Edward Hart, Edouard
Maunick, the brothers Loys and André Masson and humourist
Yvan Lagesse. René Asgarally and Ramesh Ramdoyal are the
best known of the contemporary writers producing works in Créole.
Both Joseph Conrad and Mark Twain visited the island and wrote
of their experiences, and Charles Baudelaire's very first poem,
A une Dame Créole (To a Créole Woman), was written
in the Mauritian town of Pamplemousses.
One highlight of a visit to Mauritius is the magnificent mixture
of cuisines on offer. The most common varieties are Créole,
European, Chinese and Indian, with seafood almost always the specialty.
In addition, a typical Mauritian buffet might include a Muslim
biryani, Indian chicken curry, Chinese pork dish, Créole
roast beef and French-style vegetables. Boiled rice is served
with just about everything. Common dishes include rougaille, a
Mediterranean dish of tomatoes, onions, garlic and any kind of
meat or fish, and daube, an octopus stew. Favorite local beverages
includes lassi, a refreshing yogurt and ice-water drink, and alouda,
a syrupy brew of agar, milk and flavourings that's available everywhere
from streetside vendors. Locally produced beer and rum are potent,
plentiful and cheap; wines are expensive and usually imported
from France or South Africa.
Sega
The sega is an integral part of our culture. It is an indigenous
form of music and dance peculiar to Mauritius. Derived mostly
from African music dating from slavery days, the Sega is now performed
with sophisticated contemporary influences and instruments. The
shuffling, hip swaying dance and Creole lyrics are an integral
part of the music.
Mauritius is a crucible of diverse cultures and religions which
our migrant populations brought from ancestral soils…India,
Africa, China and Europe. Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism
are the most practiced religions. All year long, our rich diversity
is celebrated in peace and harmony.
Maha Shivaratree
Is celebrated in honour of Lord Shiva (February). Following an
all night vigil, Hindu devotees, clad in white, carry the "kanwar"
- wooden arches covered with flowers- in pilgrimage to Grand Bassin,
to fetch holy water from the lake. The whole scene is reminiscent
of the great rituals on the banks of the Holy Ganges in India.
Diwali
The most jovial of all Hindu festivals. Celebrated in October/November,
it marks the victory of Rama over Ravana and also commemorates
Krishna's destruction of the demon Narakasuran.
Clay oil lamps are placed in front of every home turning the island
into a fairyland of Flickering lights.
Father Laval
In September people of all faiths flock to the shrine of Father Jacques Desire Laval in Ste Croix, Port Louis. You can almost catch a glimpse of Lourdes in the fervour of the great crowds who attributes miraculous healing powers to Father Laval.
Id-EI-Fitr
Is celebrated to mark the end of Ramadhan, the Muslim holy month of fasting. Prayers are offered at mosques during the day.
Chinese Spring Festival
The Chinese New Year's Day ( January/February), which falls on
a different day every year because of the adjustment of lunar
days to solar days, is preceded by a thorough spring-cleaning
of the home. No scissors or knives are used on that day.
Red, symbolic of happiness, is the dominant color. Food is piled
up to ensure abundance during the year, and the traditional wax
cake is distributed to relatives and friends. Firecrackers are
lit to ward off evil spirits.
Holi
This Hindu festival is as coloured as thenumerous legends which inspire it. Essentially, it is a festival of revelry when men and women enjoy themselves by squirting colored water and powder on one another. It is a time for rejoicing and exchanging greetings.
Cavadee
Cavadee is celebrated in January/February. Their bodies pierced with needles and their tongues and cheeks with skewers, devotees, trancelike and in penance, trek along bearing the "Cavadee", a wooden arch covered with flowers with a pot of milk at each end of its base, to place it before the deity in the temple. At this point, despite the long, hot trek the milk should not have curdled.
Ugadi
Is the HINDU's New year and been celebrated mainly by Telugu Community all around the world. Marathi also celebrate their new year and they call Ugadi as Guddi Padwa . It is usually celebrated in March.
Ganesh Charturthi
Is celebrated on the 4th day of the lunar month August/September,
as the birth day of Ganesha, the God of wisdom and remover of
all obstacles.
Christmas
Christmas in Mauritius is celebrated by all communities
in mauritius. We might say this month is the one of the busiest
month you could see lots of night life around mauritius and you
can see shops which are opened from 8 to 11PM.
