Culture of Mauritius
Mauritius’ culture has been shaped by the many ancestries of its residents. Mauritian cuisine, music, and literature have all had varying degrees of influence and now form an integral part of Mauritian culture.
Music of Mauritius
Sega is a collection of locally produced songs, each with a distinct acoustic style. Many people confuse it with African music, however, neither the music nor the dance has an African counterpart, therefore it is thought to have a distinct origin, in accordance with the Mauritian people. Sega is traditionally performed using a variety of traditional instruments, including:
Ravanne: a tambourine-like local drum made with goatskin.
Triangle: A metal rod bent into a triangle-shaped that is set to ring with a stick.
Maravane: A flat box filled with seeds that create a rasping sound when shaken.
Modern instruments like bass, drums, and guitar were eventually added, and this is what is often played and sung in hotels today. A lot of the more recent renditions are influenced by pop, rap, and ragamuffin rock and roll. Locals enjoy some Bhojpuri songs since Bhojpuri is an Indian dialect spoken primarily in rural areas.
Music
People who dance to Sega music at hotels often do it while wearing brightly colored outfits to complement the sensuous nature of the dancing. Women dance in full flowery skirts, twirling about in them. Other classical Asian dance forms are also practiced in Mauritius, such as Bharata Natyam and Chinese Folk Dance.
Religious Festivals in Mauritius
Because the residents of Mauritius adhere to a wide range of religious traditions, many religious festivals take place throughout the year.
Chinese New Year
During the month of January or February, the Chinese New Year is celebrated with Firecrackers, Dragon and Lion Dances, and other traditional festivities.
Some of Mauritius’ most exciting cultural events take place during the festival. The port city’s Chinatown district hums with activity unlike any other time of day. Traditional lion dances are done during street processions. Visitors may frequently participate in the celebration by lighting fireworks of their own and snapping all the great photos at this very beautiful and colorful festival celebration in Mauritius.
Thaipoosam Cavadee
At dawn on the last day of the festival, devotees gather at the temple to pray before making their way to the river for cleaning rites and a vow of silence. Sacred piercings are done on the mouth and cheeks with vels (small needles shaped like lances) to assist pilgrims to keep their vow of silence throughout the trip. Even tiny needles are used for body piercings on the back, arms, and legs as a show of penance.
Diwali, or the Festival of Lights
On the greatest Hindu holidays, the festival of lights known as Divali is celebrated where good triumphs over evil and light triumphs over darkness. Divali, commonly known as Diwali or Dipavali, is celebrated by Mauritians of the Hindu faith from October through November.
Many people clean and decorate their houses, put on new clothing, and give gifts to relatives and friends to mark this momentous event. The act of sharing strengthens the ties that bind us together. Once the sun goes down and the festival of lights begins, it’s full speed ahead all across the island. There are a plethora of colorful garlands and little traditional clay lamps lighting throughout the room. Some residences are decked out in fairy lights and other festive decors, lending them a mystical aspect. Everybody will be out and about strolling about on Diwali night, and the mood is just brimming with happiness. Mauritians of many faiths, not only Hindus, will flock to the streets to take in the beauty of the lit residences.
Christmas
Christmas, which has grown into a global holiday, is observed in December.
Tourists from the northern hemisphere, on the other hand, could find it unique to spend Christmas during an exotic summer!
As a result of the fact that it brings families together for a nice and pleasurable supper, Christmas in Mauritius is celebrated as a national holiday.
Churches, as well as commercial malls, play Christmas songs next to a typical Mauritian pine tree called Filao, pine, oak, or an araucaria. Each and every one of us will be satisfied. While real fir trees go on sale in the main streets only a few days before Christmas, artificial trees have gained popularity in recent years for a variety of reasons, including their practicality and environmental friendliness. While the youngest and oldest members of the family do their Christmas shopping, the food is planned months in advance.
Eid al Fitr
Eid al Fitr celebrates the conclusion of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan and is often accompanied by brianis, a spicy meal popular in the Muslim population.
During this occasion, all Mauritian Muslims worship, give alms to the needy, share food, and enjoy time with friends and family.
During this holiday, many Muslims attend communal prayers, donate charity in the form of food (Zakat al-Fitr), and listen to a sermon (locally known as khutba). Prayers are typically performed outside or in vast places, such as sports arenas.
Local Crafts
The most well-known woodcraft in Mauritius is model shipbuilding, which takes place in countless workshops around the island. Raphael Touze, a Frenchman, chose to study this field after being captivated by the workmanship of Mauritian wood. The original prototype was built in 1970 by José Ramar, a Mauritian cabinetmaker. Rosewood, teak, and ebony are the most popular timbers, whereas walnut, cherry, and maple are less commonly utilized.
The culture of Mauritius, like any other country’s, is what sets a country and its people apart. Literature, dancing, music, indigenous crafts, religion, and tradition all contribute to the island’s culture.