Culture & Society

Mauritius is the most multicultural country in Africa — and perhaps in the world. On a small island of 2,040 km², people with roots in India, Africa, China, Europe, and Madagascar have lived together for generations. The population can be roughly divided into four groups:

• Indo-Mauritians (about 68%) — Descendants of Indian indentured laborers, divided into Hindus (the largest group) and Muslims. They significantly shape politics, religion, cuisine, and festivals.
• Creoles (about 27%) — Descendants of African and Malagasy slaves, often mixed with European heritage. Creole music (Sega, Ravanne), cuisine, and language are the heart of Mauritian popular culture.
• Sino-Mauritians (about 3%) — Descendants of Chinese immigrants, mainly Hakka traders. They dominate retail and gastronomy — almost every "Boutik" (corner shop) on the island is run by a Sino-Mauritian family.
• Franco-Mauritians (about 2%) — Descendants of French colonial rulers. Although small in number, they control a significant part of the economy, particularly the sugar industry and tourism.

The special thing: This diversity does not lead to conflicts but to a lived tolerance that is unparalleled worldwide. Everyone respects the festivals and customs of other groups — Hindu festivals are celebrated by all, everyone dances at the Chinese New Year, and Christmas is a national holiday. Mauritius proves daily that cultural diversity is not a problem but a gift.

Mauritius has as many holidays as hardly any other country — each religious community has its own festivals, and most are celebrated by the entire island. The result: There is hardly a month without a festival.

The Most Important Festivals

• Maha Shivaratri (February/March) — The largest Hindu festival: Hundreds of thousands make a pilgrimage to Grand Bassin. Fasting, prayers, processions — an unforgettable experience of devotion.
• Cavadee/Thaipoosam (January/February) — Tamil festival in honor of Murugan: Devotees pierce their skin with needles and carry heavy structures (Cavadee) on their shoulders in a trance procession. Disturbing and fascinating at the same time.
• Holi (March) — The Hindu festival of colors: Everyone throws colored powder at each other and celebrates spring. In Mauritius, it is a particularly exuberant, joyful affair.
• Chinese New Year (January/February) — Chinatown in Port Louis explodes in red and gold: Dragon dances, fireworks, dim sum, and red envelopes with money gifts.
• Eid ul-Fitr (variable) — The end of Ramadan is celebrated with feasts, prayers, and family gatherings. Biryanis and sweets are shared with neighbors — regardless of their religion.
• Divali (October/November) — The Hindu festival of lights: All of Mauritius is adorned with oil lamps and lights. Sweets are exchanged, and the atmosphere is magical.
• National Day (March 12) — Independence Day: Parades, speeches, fireworks, and a strong sense of national unity.
• Abolition Day (February 1) — Commemoration of the abolition of slavery in 1835. Creole music, dance, and ceremonies at Le Morne.

Sega is more than music — it is the heartbeat of Mauritius. This Afro-Creole rhythm originated on the sugarcane plantations, where enslaved people from Africa and Madagascar sat around campfires after work, drumming on the Ravanne (a flat goatskin drum) and transforming their joy, pain, and longing into music.

The Sega is sensual and grounded: The dancers move their hips in circular motions, their feet stay close to the ground (shoes are taken off), and their arms tell stories. Traditionally, it is danced barefoot on sand or earth — a connection to the homeland of the ancestors. The lyrics speak of love, longing, the sea, and everyday life — often in Creole, the common language of all Mauritians.

Experience Sega

Sega can be encountered everywhere in Mauritius:

• Hotels & Resorts: Almost all hotels regularly offer Sega evenings with live bands, dancers, and participatory workshops. Touristic, but entertaining and a good introduction.
• Beach Parties: On weekends, especially on Saturdays, spontaneous Sega sessions take place on public beaches. The drum is unpacked, someone starts singing, and suddenly the whole beach is dancing.
• Festivals: On National Day (March 12) and Abolition Day (February 1), there are large Sega festivals with the best bands in the country.

Besides traditional Sega, Seggae has developed — a fusion of Sega and Reggae, popularized by the legendary musician Kaya (1960–1999), who was considered the voice of the Creole community. Kaya died under unclear circumstances in police custody — his death sparked riots and remains a sensitive topic to this day. However, his music lives on and is omnipresent.