Mauritius Culture - Sports, Cuisine, Festivals, Arts & More
There's a lot more to this paradise island than just beautiful beaches. Step away from the beach to learn how decades of colonisation have resulted in a richly blended culture, cuisine and diverse customs.
Music: Concerts, Local Artists Icons, etc
The traditional Mauritian Sega, known locally as Sega Tipik Morisien, Sega Tradisionel, sega ravann, or simply sega tipik, is a performing art form that includes musical instruments, songs in the Mauritian Creole language, and dance.
The primary instruments are the “Ravanne”, “Maravanne”, and “Triangle”. Pioneers such as Ti Frère, Serge Lebrasse, and Michel Legris are considered the fathers of Sega, while Kaya is renowned for popularising Seggae.
Good to Know: Mauritius is also known for its vibrant music community and love for events like concerts. And Otayo is your one-stop shop for all events across the island.
Local Arts: Paintings, Photography, Handcraft Products
From art paintings to handcrafted products, local Mauritian handicrafts make perfect souvenirs to treasure memories.
Artisans skillfully recycle and upcycle materials like reclaimed furniture and driftwood. Ceramic, bamboo, textile, and coconut crafts create homewares, fashion, and souvenirs.
Basketwork skills, using leaves from local plants like Vacoas, sugarcane, bamboo and aloe, are passed down through generations.
Tip: You can discover these exquisite products at the Port Louis Craft Market or Grand Baie Bazaar.
Cuisine: From traditional street foods to gastronomic culinary experience
Food holds significant importance in Mauritius, reflecting a rich blend of Indian, Chinese, African and European culinary influences. This diverse cultural tapestry creates a vibrant array of flavours.
Whether indulging in home-cooked meals, street foods, or gourmet cuisine, visitors can embark on a flavorful journey across the island.
Interesting tidbit: It's not uncommon to encounter combinations like Chinese and Creole or Indian and French flavours, each offering a delightful twist to traditional favourites.
Sports: Horse Racing, Indian Ocean Island Games
The Champ de Mars Race Course in Port Louis, Mauritius, holds the distinction of being the oldest horse racing track in the southern hemisphere, established in 1812. Today, it remains a cherished attraction, annually drawing crowds of enthusiastic visitors.
Much like the thrilling horse racing at Champ de Mars, the Indian Ocean Island Games are infused with an electrifying atmosphere that everyone should experience at least once. Often referred to as a mini-Olympic, this event occurs every four years, exclusively among the islands of the Indian Ocean, each hosting the games in turn.
If water sports are your thing then Mauritius will spoil you with an array of aquatic activities from scuba-diving, to kite-surfing to sailing on the crystal seas all over the island.
Religious Festivals
Chinese New Year - The Spring Festival, the Chinese community's key celebration, occurs in late January or early February. Festivities include feasting, fireworks, and lion and dragon dance parades, primarily held in Chinatown, Port Louis.
Diwali- Also known as the Light Festival, this Hindu celebration symbolises the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Millions of Hindus adorn their homes, buildings, and streets with traditional lamps and modern lighting, creating a mesmerising spectacle.
Maha Shivaratri- Celebrated by the Hindus in honour of the God Shiva. Hindu devotees, clad in spotless white, carry the "kanwar '', a wooden arch covered with flowers on pilgrimage to Grand Bassin, to fetch holy water from the lake.
Thaipoosam Cavadee- A Tamil Hindu festival that takes place annually at the cusp of January and February. It sees devotees, many with pierced tongues, cheeks, or limes hanging from their skin by hooks, bearing ornate cavadees to the temple.
Holi- Celebrated in March and symbolises the arrival of spring. Men, women, and children are all dressed in white outfits, douse each other with coloured water and sprinkle with coloured confetti, paint, and powder. Although it’s a Hindu festival, people from all faiths can’t resist partaking in the colourful festivities.
Eid-Ul-Fitr- A Muslim festival celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadan of the Islamic calendar with prayers, gift-giving, charity, and feasting. The date depends upon the visibility of the new moon of the lunar calendar.
Christmas - Celebrated by all Mauritians, regardless of religion. During this occasion, Christmas trees are decorated and gifts are offered to children, friends, and relatives like in other countries.
The best part of all these festivals? They are thoroughly enjoyed by everyone, irrespective of faith. The sharing of sweet boxes, gifts, and wishes unites the Mauritian community as one, and even tourists get to partake in the feasts and festivities. So, make sure you don’t miss these massive celebrations!