Mauritius is known for its cultural diversity, living in peace and harmony. The population is composed of diverse Ethnic groups, religions and beliefs originating from all corners of the world. Mauritians live their difference, and this, makes their wealth. This article aims to provide you with an insight into the ethnic base of Mauritius and will help you better understand (and appreciate) the Island life.

First, we all know that differences create frictions. The island is no exception. From time to time, the differences are highlighted, a small group will waive their flag claiming a certain attention to their specificities. But fortunately, this has not gone beyond limits. We all understand that sharing a small piece of rock on the Indian Ocean does not vouch for unnecessary tug-of-war. Over the years the Mauritians have blended into a unique pot-pourri of culture, mixing everybody into one identity. This is present in almost all segments of our culture: music, language, food, and fashion, to name a few. Every non-Mauritian willing to relocate to the island needs to understand the ethnic base, as this is not a straight-forward element.

On the outset, the island was uninhabited, just a dense forest lying peacefully amidst the Indian Ocean. Discovered, probably accidentally, by Arabs sailors, but abandoned soon after since no interesting resources where to be found. The Dutch were the first to settle-down seriously. The ruins of their first constructions, which are still visible in the Vieux Grand Port area (south), witnesses the start of civil life on the island. Mauritius was named after the Dutch prince, Mauritz de Nassau; deeply rooting Dutch into our DNA. Curiously, this almost forgotten.

Colonization, as was common and acceptable in those years, was the foundation of development. The French and British, each on their turn, built Mauritius. The island, due to its strategic location, was useful to slaves’ trade and trade in general, linking Asia, Africa and Europe through the maritime trade routes. Slave masters, as well as slaves, naturally left a descendance which now composes a large part of the island’s population. Following abolition of slavery, indentured laborers were imported from India to work the sugarcane fields. During that same era, Chinese traders started their migration and set-up the first shops. The descendance from these early settlers makes the ethnic configuration, visible today.

Colons were, of course, owners of lands, given to them through concessions by ruling island administrators. Ownership was transmitted through generations, making the descendants the biggest landowners to date. What cannot be argued, and is not, is the effort, intelligence and efficacy that the early beneficiaries of land concessions demonstrated. The success of our sugar industry is based on their investment and management skills. The tea industry rested on the same model, albeit at a lower scale. The shifting of economic pillar from agriculture to tourism, starting late 70s and early 80s, provided with the sugar barons with an opportunity to further develop their lands. Many had beachfront properties, now occupied by the most sumptuous hotels of the island. Overtime, lands situated inland also became of prime value, through developments of Shopping malls, new luxury residential estates, including PDS schemes which are accessible to foreign acquisition. The economic power has long been under the hands of this segment of the population. They own most of the Top 100 organizations (and business conglomerates), many of which are historically present from the later days of colonization.  This part of the population mostly descends from French lineage and is usually referred to as Franco-Mauritians. They are probably the most reluctant when it comes to blending with other population segments. But with access to education, evolution and changing socio-economic environment, things are evolving. It is possible, today, to have a business partnership with a Franco-Mauritian, 20 years back was a different story.

What is interesting to note is that this concentration of wealth was never an issue for Mauritians of other ethnic origins. It was known and acceptable that the Franco-Mauritian was deserved masters and that they have been at the base of the island’s development. Previous generations fully embraced the fact but, unfortunately, also imprisoned themselves into a complex of inferiority. My Grandfather, even if he was the king of the tribe at home, always addressed his employers, even in their absence, as ‘Sir’ (Missié in Creole).

This complex of inferiority was further sustained and, to some extent, visible in the tourism industry. The first tourists were from Europe, therefore ethnically related to the Franco-Mauritians. Again, the average Mauritian was seduced, under full admiration of people who were able to take a plane and land here and afford hotels proposing a heavenly lifestyle. A lifestyle that was inaccessible to most. To have access to hotels, during these times, was a matter of pride, a story to tell your family, your neighbors and everyone you knew. It was nothing less than being invited by Her Majesty the Queen for a short stay at Buckingham Palace.

Free education helping, the future generations evolved to newer dimensions. They started travelling.  The most brilliant ones studying abroad and getting an exposure to unknown worlds. Political power, as compared to economic power, was in the hands of descendants of indentured laborers. Probably inspired by the history of India and its fight for independence, those from Indian ethnics (Hindus, Muslims, Tamouls and others) campaigned for the sovereignty of Mauritius. We got independence in 1968. The political power was thus conferred to this segment of the population. You will probably be surprised to learn that even today, the prime minister position is only accessible to a Hindu, of a certain caste. Everybody is morally against, or maybe vocally against, but the system is such and there is no sign it will change soon. It is deeply rooted in our culture, generally and universally accepted. Economic and political powers have always operated in a quasi-synergy, with the ultimate objective to progress. We have made impressive progress over the years; therefore we would tend to agree that the system worked.

And we have been living in perfect harmony !

For me, personally, the most adorable community is the Chinese one. Discrete, togetherness and intelligent. The Chinese shop in every town and village has been the backbone of lifestyle improvement over the years. Credit facilities, variety of products, everything was there to make life easier. The innate shopkeepers the ancient generations were, made it possible to keep pace with fast-paced human evolution. Today, the Chinese community holds probably the best retail businesses on the island. From hypermarkets, premium car dealership and even textiles, they’ve made their way to an impressive development. Very much respected, the Chinese have kept themselves away from political turmoil and never participated in any unrest or undesirable scenario.

Muslims, just to jump on a trendy subject, are present in a significant proportion. They are from Indian descendance, not from Middle East or North-African origin. You will see mosques (as much as you will see Hindu temples and churches) round the island. The call of the Muezzin is heard five times a day, disturbing some but most of us are used to it. I recall my non-Muslim acquaintances who would welcome the morning prayer call as their alarm clock. I also recall how beautifully one Christian neighbor said it was beautiful to be woken up everyday by the name of God. We do not have major radicalism trends, not to the extent that it affects the peace. As in every religion or ethnic group, there are claims here and there.

But at the end we all know we are living in a laic country and the word of law is what prevails. Everyone has got a least one public holiday dedicated to its religious festivities, and we are so mixed that we celebrate each other.

Descendants from African countries were basically from slave ancestry and have been relegated to lower scale of the demographic configuration. Exclusion has been a word very often used. They were discriminated, that’s a fact. True also that discrimination is a new word. Not a lie to say that Afro-origin people have long been treated as second class citizens around the world. They have fought their way to recognition, beautifully. This community has played an essential role for Mauritius. They carried bags of rice, sugar and other commodities on their bare backs to load and unload ships and lorries; they fed the whole island through their blood and sweat. Without them, and in the absence of machines at that time, I cannot see how we would have completed the logistic chain. Many also were (and are) fishermen, from generation to generation. Braving the sun, the tides and weather upsets to bring food to their tables and allowing us enjoy the treasures of our ocean. Tribute to those who lost their lives (and their loved ones) to the sea.

Again, with free education, introduced by Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (father of the nation), allowed many from the Afro-Mauritian community to escape from the dungeons of exclusion. With the introduction of machines, and industrialization, the logistic system no longer required such manpower. Evolution was an issue of survival, and how well they are doing it. I say, they ‘are’ doing it, because it will take several generations more to fill the gap. You will still see this community handling all iron-man professions; masons on construction sites, manual works, fishing (usually in small embarkations), and similar.

Physical strength is always an asset for sports; and here, make no mistake. Afro-Mauritian community shines at every level and take our flags waving all around the world. Boxing (Olympic medals), Kick-boxing (World Champions), athletics, football… you name it!

Now, surely, you can appreciate the value of the Mauritian population. Living in peace and harmony despite the socio-economic configuration which was imposed on us through history.  This is probably the only country where a meeting is held entirely in Creole (our local dialect) mixed with French, while the minute of the meeting is documented in English. Did I say that the meeting probably started with greetings in Indian language!?

Politics, as always, is the only disrupting factor, trying to divide and rule. Electoral campaigns usually stink of racism, attempting each time, but failing everytime to amplify the ethnic differences. For a short span of time, some fall into the trap but the majority stand firm on our common values.

It is never easy to write about ethnicity, more so in a country where it is so diverse. It is easily assimilated to racism. But I am among those who believe in telling the exact history, however unpleasant or politically incorrect it is. In any case, this is what makes Mauritius beautiful. 

And I would hope you are more in love with the island now.

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