pele SciaSction - new media

MAURITIUS
Continental Breakfast,
Indian Lunch & Chinese Dinner
The culture of Mauritius involves the blending of several
cultures from Mauritius' history, as well as individual
culture arising indigenously.
Mauritius is a multicultural country, but some have
observed that it is not yet a nation where people look
more in the direction of the land of their forebearers and
fail to come to terms with the reality in which they face
everyday life. And yet the country has, in essence, its own
language (Mauritian or Mauritian Creole) and a thriving
literature in that language, its own music and dance (the
sega), a special cuisine - it's the land where
miscegenation is rich and vibrant but there is a view that
the root searching ideology of those in power tries to
shroud what is most progressive in the cultural landscape.
Mauritian beer (especially Phoenix, since 1963), is a big
part of Mauritian culture.
Thailesh Chamane
Officer-in-Charge,
Mauritius Consulate
Folklore And Music
Mauritius is blessed with the sounds and rhythms of the
western, eastern and African civilisation which have come
across its history. This legacy has been preserved and
passed on unscattered through generations. On the
other hand, some have meld together to yield unique
sounds and rhythms.
The most typical folkloric dance of Mauritius is the "Sega"
of African origin. This dance is pulsated by the beat of the
ravane, a circular drum, and other rhythmic instruments
like the maravane and triangle. Danced and sung by the
slaves, the Sega has been adopted by all Mauritians and
is played on all occasions. More recently, a new sound, a
mixture of the Sega and Reggae music, has found its way
into music culture. This fusion music called the Seggae, a
melodious and entertaining new rhythm that reflects the
mixed aspect of Mauritius, emerged in the 80's.
Originally the music of the Rastafaris and the poor
suburbs of Port Louis, it has found its way to the nightclubs
and the mainstream of Mauritian local music.
There are also traditional music and dances that have
been introduced by the Indian and Chinese migrants
coming to Mauritius. Few things compare to the refines
and elegance of the Indian dances. Dressed in colourful
sarees, the dancers execute precise choreographies with
each posture and attitude expressing its own meaning.
They are accompanied by the exquisite sound of the sitar
and tabla expressing the finest (refined) and magic
behind the oriental culture. There are also the very
colourful Chinese traditional dance with the ancestral
lions and Dragon dances being the best known. The sight
of these mystical creatures brought to life by the precision
and agility of the dancers is a must to be seen.
Western music is also well represented in the Mauritian
culture. This includes the mainstream music amid rap,
hip-hop, rock, Jazz band and other more traditional
music like the waltz as well as all types of ballroom
dancing. There is also a strong following for the 60's to
70's oldies, with the likes of Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard,
Englelberd Emperding being part of the national musical
heritage. CHHEESE
Cuisine
Mauritius is a paradise for the senses, not only for the eyes
OPEN TRADE 41
Oct-Dec 2007