Religious diversity
Multi-ethnic and multilingual, Mauritius is home to a wide variety of religions in a small territory, and is characterized by a strong popular fervor that is particularly evident at the time of religious festivals. A veritable rainbow of religions coexist in a relative peace highlighted by Pope Francis, during his visit to Mauritius in September 2019, who praised the populations for having "learned, little by little, to be enriched by the differences of others and to find ways of living together, seeking to build a fraternity concerned with the common good". While there is some tension between the Hindu majority and Muslims, this is the work of a small minority. The Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius proclaims religious freedom as a fundamental right (Article 3). Section 11 of the Constitution, entitled "Freedom of Conscience", is very specific on the subject of religious rights and freedoms. For example, it clearly states that any person may change his or her religion, or that it is possible to distribute religious material to people who are not followers of a religion. The authorities in Mauritius therefore ensure the protection of all religious communities, without interfering too much in practice.
Hinduism
Around 50% of Indians living in Mauritius belong to the Hindu religion. That's why there are so many temples all over the island, the flashiest of which are the Tamil temples, with their bright colors and colorful statuettes. More flexible than in India, Mauritian Hinduism is nonetheless an essential driving force of social organization, giving rhythm to daily life and generating an omnipresent form of tolerance and fatalism.
A distinction is made between Hindus, descendants of immigrants from North India (several castes are represented), and Tamils, whose ancestors arrived from South-East India. The latter are in the minority, but are nevertheless respected by the other castes.
Their religious festivals are very impressive, such as the fire marches held in January and February. During these marches, devotees fast for long periods, reciting and praying in memory of Saint Draupadi. They inflict bodily harm on themselves in the form of needles pricked under the skin. On the day of the celebration, they march in procession to the river to perform ablutions. They march to the beat of drums, carrying on their heads tall vases covered with foliage and garlands. They are followed by a colorful crowd of men, women and children of all ages. Arriving in front of the temple, and under the incantations of the crowd, the penitents cross a long path of glowing embers one by one, in order to purify themselves. The other Tamil ritual, the Cavadee or Thaipoosum, gives rise to an equally impressive festival, celebrated in honor of Moourouga, son of Shiva. Devotion is expressed in a procession in which trance-like penitents carry on their shoulders the cavadee, a wooden arch evoking the temple of Mourouga. Pots of milk are suspended from this flower-covered arch. The faithful parade with their bodies pierced by needles, their tongues and cheeks pierced by pins.
Hindus are just as observant, and prayers and offerings are part of their daily routine. These peak in February or March, during the Maha Shivaratree festival, the largest Hindu religious gathering outside India. A few days before the celebration, thousands of Hindus take to the roads on foot, heading for Grand Bassin, whose water is as sacred as that of the Ganges. The pilgrims, most of them dressed in white, carry miniature temples adorned with flowers (known as kanwars) and form magnificent, never-ending processions. This long, strenuous walk is supposed to purify them. When they reach Grand Bassin, they draw a little holy water, which they then pour over their village's Shiva linga on the day of the festival, to pay homage to the power and fecundity of the god Shiva.
The other major Hindu festival celebrated in Mauritius is Holi, the festival of joy, fire and color. According to legend, Holika, who had joined forces with demons to immolate the pious Bhakta Pralad, perished by fire, while her victim emerged unscathed from the pyre. The night before the festival, Hindus light large braziers into which they throw a straw figure symbolizing Holika. The next day, men and women take to the streets, sprinkling each other with colored water and powder to the general jubilation. Wishes are exchanged and, in the evening, families gather for a good meal. Holi heralds the Hindu New Year, which takes place 14 days later.
Catholicism
Historically, it was the first religion to take root in Mauritius. It is the religion of the Franco-Mauritians, descendants of the French colonists, as well as that of the Creoles whose ancestors converted at the time of slavery. Some Creoles have retained the Voodoo culture of their ancestors, blending fear of the spirits and superstitions with their Christian faith. Some Sino-Mauritians are also Catholics.
Catholicism really took off in Mauritius in the 19th century, thanks to the work of Father Jacques-Désiré Laval. This missionary lived on the island from 1841 to 1864. Both doctor and parish priest, he learned the Creole language and created a small catechism that everyone could understand. Thanks to his fervor, charisma and absolute devotion to the Mauritian people, over 70,000 people converted to Catholicism! Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1979, Father Laval is now the subject of a procession to his tomb (sanctuary near Port Louis) every September 9. The procession brings together pilgrims of all denominations, reinforcing the strong base of Catholicism in Mauritius. Another major reinforcement is Pope Francis. On September 9, 2019, the head of the Catholic Church made a stopover in Mauritius, where spiritualities blend harmoniously. Religious services in Catholic churches are held in French.
In Rodrigues, over 90% of the island's population is Catholic. On this island, Muslims and even more so Hindus are largely in the minority.
Islam
Mauritians of the Muslim faith are not descendants of Arabs (who undoubtedly discovered the island without ever having colonized it), but of West Indians and Bengalese. Their practice of Islam is much more flexible and tolerant than that of African or Asian countries (few veiled women can be seen on the island, even if there has recently been talk of radical Islamism).
In addition, Muslim holidays are not celebrated in the same way as other religions. The only public holiday in Mauritius is Eid el Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. It is celebrated in isolation, in Islamic families, where people gather to pray and eat biryani. Mauritius's largest mosque, Jummah, is located in the center of Port-Louis.
Buddhism
Buddhism took root on the island in the mid-19th century. The Kwan Tee pagoda in Les Salines is not only the oldest in Mauritius, but also in the entire southern hemisphere. Its large gold bell, dating from 1869, is a real treasure. The pagoda's founder, Ahime Choïsanne, who owned a store on Route Royale, dedicated this place of worship to Guan Di, a Chinese deity symbolizing bravery and righteousness. Mauritius has 11 pagodas in Port-Louis, varying in size but all facing north, with the deities facing out to sea. Many members of the Chinese community converted to Catholicism during the 20th century.
The Bahá'í Faith
Baha'ism, or the Baha'i Faith, is a religious movement that originated in Iran in the 19th century, and has the distinctive feature of being clergyless. It was introduced to Mauritius in 1953 and recognized by the authorities as a religion on an equal footing with others in 1972. The 7,000 Bahá'ís of Mauritius carry the divine message received by their founder Bahá'u'lláh to establish the unity of the peoples of the earth. A message adapted to Mauritius's multi-ethnic society. Bahá'ís are active in their local Spiritual Assemblies and proselytize, particularly in working-class neighborhoods.
Popular beliefs
While the "official" religions have a strong hold on the spirits in Mauritius, the fact remains that the descendants of slaves and coolies alike have retained ancestral practices of spirit worship. Mauritian law punishes what has to be called "witchcraft" or charlatanism, but some people, particularly in rural areas, seeking quick and radical solutions to their problems, turn to "traiteurs" or "longanis". These Mauritian sorcerers and marabouts are born of Malagasy and African animist beliefs, mixed with the island's various religions. All communities can call on longanis to unblock seemingly insurmountable situations. Local "witchdoctors" receive spurned lovers and even politicians in search of voters... Whether you believe in these practices or not, beware of the many scams.
