The incredible and varied cultural richness of Mauritius is closely linked to its complex historical vicissitudes as a crossroads of different peoples and origins. Known since the 10th century by the Arabs, it became a destination for Portuguese sailors during the 16th century, until a colony of Dutch sailors settled there in 1598, making it their logistical base for supplies on the way to Java. In the 18th century it was taken over first by the French, and then by the British, who colonised it permanently until independence was achieved in 1968.
A crucial hub in the slave trade from Africa and in the recruitment of Chinese and Indian labourers after the abolition of slavery, Mauritius over the centuries became the colourful mosaic of peoples and cultures that it is today. Africans, Creoles, Chinese, Indians, Europeans, today make up the intricate mesh of the Mauritian ethnographic fabric, which is echoed by a variegated sampler of different customs, languages, gastronomies, sounds and religions, which have cohabited peacefully for centuries, or enriched each other, in surprising contaminations or syncretisms.
This makes Mauritius one of the most culturally fascinating destinations on the African continent, an island where, while English is the official language, the most widely spoken languages remain Creole and French, but also Mandarin and Hindi. It’s a country where the call of the muezzin alternates with the bells of the churches and the murmurings of mantras in the temples, while in the distance on some beaches one can dance the sèga of African origin to the rhythm of the djembé, or where one can celebrate without prejudice of any kind, the end of Ramadan, Christmas and Easter, Chinese New Year or Maha Shivaratri.
It is the Hindu cultural and religious heritage that is the predominant aspect of this paradise island nestled in the Indian Ocean.
Between February and March, the most important and most heartfelt Hindu festival takes place, which sees the pilgrimage of about half a million Mauritian worshippers to the shores of the sacred lake of Grand Bassim (the Ganga Talao crater), said to have been formed by a few drops of water that fell from Shiva’s head while he was carrying the Ganges with his wife Parvati. The Maha Shivaratri celebrations, amidst incense and offerings of food and flowers, last three days and is the main event in the world for that religion to be honoured outside India. A jubilation of kanavars, garlands of flowers and wooden arches, are carried to the temple of Ganga Talao in a procession, for dozens of kilometres, by worshippers arriving from all over the island on foot along the shores of the lake.
It’s a riot of colours and festive atmospheres that will undoubtedly enrich your stay in Mauritius and which will also reach its peak during the Holi festival, another festivity very dear to the Hindu religion, celebrated at the beginning of spring, or the Divali, in autumn, which sees the lighting of a myriad of night lights, symbolising the victory of good over evil. And for the less impressionable, not to be missed between December and January is the Teemeedee, a festival of purification and sacrifice, during which the faithful walk on hot coals or on spiked shoes.
In short, Mauritius is not only one of the most beautiful paradise beaches in the world, luxury resorts and breathtaking tropical vegetation. It is also a mix of different cultures that coexist peacefully, each showing their best during the many traditional festivities that constantly envelop the island in colours, fragrant incense and festive devotion.
