Besides Mauritius’s natural beauty, there is something that is often forgotten and that is its beautiful culture. Taking a journey to discover its history is quite an interesting tradition that will keep you mesmerized on how the local people live their lives. Mauritius can be classified as one culture just because of its strong untie among the local people. It consists of different traditions as well as customs that belonged to the ancient people that settled along the shores. This small island welcomes many cultures that include Africa, China as well as India. It’s a wonderful country to visit as you will be enjoying different cultures and what they have to offer.

Culture diversity is one thing that is discovered in Mauritius and surprisingly you will find a church built next to a Mosque, Chinese pagodas adjacent to Indian temples. Indians are well known for having many religious sectors like the Muslims, Christians and Buddhist who celebrate their spiritual events with love and devotion throughout the year. If you got a chance to see their celebrations, you will actually appreciate their culture. Fire-walking ceremony is one that is carried out on the Cavadee day and this is the most charming and memorable to all visitors.

This rich diversity is also acknowledged in Mauritius’ various dishes. They have international cuisines that originated from the past colonial period. Besides that, there are the Chinese and Indian dishes that have the best aroma and taste. The choice of what to eat depends on what you want. A few of these dishes are exceptional to Mauritius as some dishes have been tailored to meet Mauritius’s taste which blends with a taste of West and finest of East.

Mauritian legends are yet another existing feature to the diversity and intensity of the Islander’s tradition. This is observed by several rhythm and sounds    that occupy the environment. A visit to Mauritius will give you an opportunity to see the gorgeous stylish Indian dances as well as the Chinese beautiful dragon and lion sounds. You can easily join the locals and dance to hysterical rhythm of Sega, one of Mauritius’ best folkloric dance.

Mauritius is famous for its combination of religions and cultures which the immigrants brought from their inherited homes. As they celebrate their festive, it’s based on love and harmony all year around

Cavadi
This event is performed in the months of January and February. The most exiting bit about this festive is that bodies are pierced with needles, cheeks and tongues with pins. Followers in a daze carry the Cavadi as contrition. The cavadi is best described as a wooden arch, decorated with flowers and with a pot of milk at all corners. It’s such a wonderful experience.

Divali
The best time to enjoy the divali festive is between October and November. It’s an event of lights that performed in fortitude of sincere love and joy by all people. The walls are designed with clay lamps along the yards and balconies. They are lit as the sunsets. They have a strong attachment to their golden light which they  believe is a spirit of wealth and luck, this can be spotted at any corner of the building.Divali simply means conquest of light over darkness. Since it’s a festival of lights, it’s a time when people celebrate happiness, joy and peace. It’s a time of giving or sharing among the Mauritians.

Father Laval
September 9 is a special day to all Mauritians; faiths of all denominations drive or walk to pay pilgrimage to the tomb of the blessed Jacques Desire laval. She was well known to be the advocate of the black people at Port-Louis and Ste-Croix. The faith in Pere Laval, to whom the supremacy of healing is credited, strikes a chord of the Lourdes pilgrimage in France.

Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is performed on every 4th day of the planetary month of August to September by the Hindus in attribute of God of wisdom and the birth of Ganesha.

Holi
Holi is an exciting event with several myths from which it originates. It’s a time to celebrate happiness and joy, men and women pour powder and colored water on each other as a sign of good fortune. After this celebration, they have a strong belief that all that they do will be of blessing and luck.

Id-El-Fitr
This festival marks the conclusion of the Ramadan period. A time when Muslims fast. It’s a special day and prayers are held in the mosques and thereafter go for celebrations.

Ougadi
Ougadi is yet another fascinating day, it’s always celebrated in March and it’s the Telugu New Year.

Spring Festival
Something different from other cultures is that the Chinese celebrate their new year on a different day. This is because they follow the planetary as well as solar Calendars. There is a lot of preparation done on this day and in particular, houses are cleaned with no sign of scissors or knife on the festival day. All people are kindly asked to wear red as a sign of joy and happiness. Thanksgiving offertory is given to have a blessed year that is full of blessings. Wax cakes are provided to friends and parents as a sign of love and togetherness. The evil spirits on such a day are driven out by the firecrackers.

Whichever accommodation you will end up with whether beach or hotel will give you a chance to enjoy the Sega dance designed by the Mauritians of African foundation. It’s so similar to the Joie de vivre dance. The Sega is composed of rhythm music and tradition dances that are famous to the Mauritius culture. It originated from the time of slavery and currently modified to the modern musical standards.

The only way to enjoy the music is by stamping your feet and shaking your bones to Creole lyrics. It was the best dance by the slaves that wanted to keep away from their worries. Right now Sega is enjoyed in various ways for instance Standard Sega combined with maravanne, ravanne and triangle that has more followers. This Sega dance had its own lyricist known as Ti Frere who passed away at the age of 92 and left behind a wonderful heritage.

Jean-Marie leclezio a famous writer said that Ti Frere sagas are never boring. The dance is easily learnt and enjoyed .Before it was told through a story and this kept everyone excited and ready to take part. With this modern music that is on the market, Mauritians have decided to advance their Sega dance and music to match with the current standards. Whichever hotel you visit, you will be welcomed by this charming version of Sega. Enjoy your stay at Mauritius with better memories for a lifetime.