World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples - Mauritius
| Publisher | Minority Rights Group International |
| Publication Date | January 2011 |
| Cite as | Minority Rights Group International, World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples - Mauritius, January 2011, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4954ce6ab.html [accessed 18 May 2023] |
| Comments | In October 2015, MRG revised its World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples. For the most part, overview texts were not themselves updated, but the previous 'Current state of minorities and indigenous peoples' rubric was replaced throughout with links to the relevant minority-specific reports, and a 'Resources' section was added. Refworld entries have been updated accordingly. |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Last updated: January 2011
Environment
Mauritius lies in the Indian Ocean, about 900 kilometres to the east of Madagascar, and is part of the Mascarene Island chain. Beyond the main island of Mauritius, it encompasses St Brandon, Rodrigues, and the Agalega Islands. Additionally, Mauritius claims sovereignty over the Chagos islands, about 1,000 to the north, which Britain forced it to relinquish in 1965 in exchange for its independence. Tourists are drawn to Mauritius for its beaches and rare plant and animal life. The island nation is also famous for having been home to the extinct dodo bird.
History
Mauritius was uninhabited until the Dutch established a short-lived settlement in 1598. France occupied the islands in the 18th century, at which time it brought slaves to the Chagos Islands. But it then lost control of Mauritius to the British in 1810. Britain brought many labourers from South Asia during colonial rule. Their descendants, along with migrations from the African continent, Europe, and East Asia, have resulted in a diverse society.
In 1965 Britain insisted that Mauritius relinquish the Chagos Islands as a pre-requisite to its independence in 1968. The UK, in turn, gave the United States the right to build a major military base on Diego Garcia the following year, in completion of a pre-arranged deal involving the mass removal of the indigenous population.
Peoples
Main languages: Creole (80.5%), Bhojpuri (12.1%), French (3.4%), English (less than 1%, but official)
Main religions: Hinduism (50%), Christianity (32%), Islam (17%)
Minority groups include Creoles 318,000 (27%), Chinese 35,000 (3%), Franco-Mauritian 23,500 (2%), Chagossians/Ilois 2,000 (0.2%).
India, Africa, Madagascar, France and China provided its peoples; almost 70 per cent are of Indian origin, while those of 'mixed' origins make up most of the rest.
[Note: Figures were taken from the 2000 census and converted to percentages based on the population 1,179,000.]
Creoles and the Ilois are commonly relegated to the bottom of social hierarchies. Other minorities include lower castes (Rajput and Revi Ved) and non-Biharis in the Indo-Mauritian Hindu community.
Governance
Mauritius is at the head of the list of African countries in indices of general welfare, and with one of the non-Western world's lowest proportions of people living in absolute poverty, it has, like some other micro-states, managed to combine growth with equity despite great cultural diversity, which to some may seem an unpromising basis for democracy and redistributive practice.
Prosperity and social mobility, and the success of a political movement combining working class and intellectual leadership, have helped to build a sense of Mauritian identity that tolerates multiculturalism. There had been no serious interethnic violence since 1969, but Creole resentment became evident in February 1999, following the death of a popular Creole singer while in police custody. It triggered four days of widespread rioting in Port Louis and other towns. Shops were looted, homes were burnt, police stations were attacked and at least five demonstrators were killed. Most employment chances no longer depend on ethnic favouritism, so mutual fears appear to be declining. Individualism and nationalism are replacing communalism and ethnicity.
All groups have representation in the National Assembly.
Mauritius has built its economy around tourism, sugar production, and textile exports. More recently, it has been branching out into the financial services industry.
Minorities
Resources
Minority based and advocacy organisations
Amnesty International
Tel: +230-466-33-64
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.amnesty.org
Centre for Documentation, Research and Training on the South West Indian Ocean
Tel: +230-465-50-36
Email: [email protected]
The Chagos Refugees Group
Tel: +230-213-02-16
Email: [email protected]
The Ilois Trust (UK)
Tel: +1883-342-902
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.iloistrust.org
Indian Ocean Institute for Human Rights
Tel: +230-212-0327, 208-1534
The UK Chagos Support Association (UK)
Tel: +44-7773-896-811 (chair)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chagossupport.org.uk
Sources and further reading
Bowman, L., Mauritius: Democracy and Development in the Indian Ocean, Boulder, CO, West-view Press, 1991.
Boswell, Rosabelle, Le Malaise Creole: Ethnic Identity in Mauritius (New Directions in Anthropology, Berghahn Books, 2006.
Lehembre, B., L'Ile Maurice, Paris, Karthala, 1984.
Madley, J., Diego Garcia: A Contrast to the Falklands, London, MRG report, 1982, 1985.
Sullivan, Anita, Exiled from Paradise (a radio play), BBC Radio 4, June 2005.
