subject: The cultural side of Mauritius [print this page] The cultural side of Mauritius The cultural side of Mauritius
The fascinating melting pot' identity of Mauritius has arisen from a blend of cultures pervading its history. Discovered by the Portuguese, this Indian Ocean island was first occupied by the Dutch, followed by the French who imported African slaves, before becoming a British colony. The British proceeded to abolish slavery, and Indian immigrants were employed to manage the country's sugar cane plantations.
Consequently, the language of Mauritius is reflected in its history. Mauritian Creole is a French-based Creole language littered with English, Portuguese and African words. The number of public holidays and festivals throughout the Mauritian calendar also indicate the rich heritage of the island's ethnic diversity Christmas Day, Chinese Spring Festival, Divali (a Hindu festival) and Eid-ul-Fitr (a Muslim festival marking the end of Ramadan) are all celebrated. Mauritius' own public holiday is National Day on 12 March, in recognition of both the island's independence in 1968 and when it became a Republic in 1992.
National Day is celebrated wholeheartedly, with processions, singing and dancing. One of the most symbolic customs is the country's national form of dance and music. The sega' was introduced by African slaves during the French colonial period and is an exotic dance, where women twirl gracefully in colourful skirts. The dance is normally accompanied by traditional instruments including the ravanne (goat skin stretched over a wooden hoop, like a tambourine), the maravanne (a percussion instrument) and a triangle. Sega groups regularly perform at restaurants, hotels and even on popular beaches.
The island's tourism industry has boomed in recent years. Many holidays in Mauritius are centred around the luxury resorts in close proximity to white sand beaches, but there is much more to see and do here. Venturing inland from the coast provides an opportunity to gain an insight into local life, and Mauritius' markets offer an authentic experience to tourists. Whilst it might not rival the exotic colourful souks of Morocco or Egypt's bustling bazaars, Central Market in the capital, Port Louis, has an exciting atmosphere, where Indian, Mauritian and French hawkers compete for tourists' attention, selling goods from exotic fruits to leather goods and textiles. Bartering is all part of the experience and the vendors fully expect holidaymakers to haggle. Open daily from 6am, it is advisable to arrive early before peak temperatures (and accompanying smells) kick in. Central Market is one of the best locations to sample street food visitors can try bimbalou confit (bitter fruit dressed with vinegar), dholl puri (spicy pancake filled with lentils) and agar alouda (a jelly-like milk drink flavoured with seaweed). The cuisine here is also diverse traditional Western dishes derived from the island's colonial past exist alongside exotic, oriental dishes introduced by Indian and Chinese migrants. Dishes have also been adapted to suit the islanders' tastes, so just like with its Creole language, Mauritius has tailor made' a unique cuisine. Mauritius is more than an amalgamation of other nations' customs all of its historical influences have led to the creation of an indigenous culture of its own.
