The varied cultures of Mauritius.
Delve into some of the most fascinating cultures and traditions from the different migrations coming from all over the World through Mauritanian history. Some have been kept untouched through centuries while others have merged to give the uniqueness of the Mauritius culture. This is ever present in the Mauritania festivals, cuisine, folklore and music. Most Mauritians are descendants of early settlers, slaves or workers so many languages are known from the main English & French to Urdu, Hindi and Creole.
Beneath the natural beauties of Mauritius's landscape, lies another, but sometime forgotten, gem: the Mauritian Culture, better yet, cultures. Going to its discovery can be a journey into some of the most fascinating and refined thousands year old ancestral traditions. It would be too simple to classify Mauritius as having one culture as so many unique and distinctive parts forms this whole. It is made up of the different customs and traditions of those who, during the last 400 years, have settled on these shores. Here Europe meets India, China, Africa and so on. Who would imagine that such unique and diversified customs thrives on such a small place?
This rich diversity is found in every aspect of the Mauritians life. Churches can be found next to a mosque, Indian temples next to Chinese pagodas. Various Indian believes, Buddhist, Christian and Muslim festivals are celebrated with much fervour and devotion all year round by the different communities. Some of these celebrations can be quite spectacular like the fire-walking ceremony that is performed on the Cavadee day.
Another proof of this rich diversity is in the variety of Mauritius dishes (cuisine). There are traditional western dishes coming from the colonial past of the island; alongside you can discover delicate new taste and aromas of the more exotic, oriental dishes brought by the Indian and Chinese migrants. Some are unique to Mauritius, as various delicacies have also been adapted to suit the Mauritians taste, which combines the flavours of the East and finest of the West.
Mauritian folklore is another living tribute to the variety and depth of the island's culture. This is illustrated by the many different sounds and rhythm of music. See and hear the beautiful sophisticated Indian dances or the Chinese spectacular lion and dragon ones. Or dance to the frantic rhythm of the Sega, the most typical folkloric dance of Mauritius.
