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Mauritius Island is located in the Indian Ocean. It is a small island with a population of over 1.2 million. It is a very small country but with different cultures, religions and festivals. Mauritius Island is one of the countries in the world where you will find culture from almost everywhere.
It is really fascinating to discover the Mauritian diverse cultures. Each culture has their traditions and beliefs.
Very fascinating also is while visiting the island you may find a mosque near a catholic church or a Chinese pagoda near an Indian temple.
The religions found in Mauritius are mainly Christian, Hindu, Muslim and Buddhism.
All these different cultures have their traditions and their festivals.
Here is a list of the Festivals celebrated in Mauritius. If you are visiting the country during one of the festivals you are welcome to join and learn about their culture, belief and traditions.
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Chinese Spring Festival or Chinese New Year
The Chinese Spring festival is usually celebrated by the Mauritian Chinese of the island every year in January or February. The date depends of the Chinese calendar.
The dominant color during this festival is the red which is the symbol of happiness. On the day of the Chinese New Year the customs says that it is not good to use knives or scissors.
Some will go the pagoda to pray. On this day there is a lot food cooked and offered to the family, it is also a way to gather the family.
During the dinner with family all the children present will receive a red envelop containing money. Later on firecrackers are set off according to the customs it to drive away the evil spirits. Chinese dancers will perform the Lion Dance a few days later where the Spring Festivals ends.
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Maha Shivaratree Festival
The maha Shivaratree is celebrated every year usually in February in honour of the Lord Shiva. The festival is celebrated by the Mauritian Hindus; lot of them dressed in white will walk from every part of the island to the sacred lake of Grand Bassin, the Hindus will fetch the holy water of the lake and three or four days ceremonies will take place.
Id-El-Fitr Festival
The Id-El-Fitr Festival is celebrated by the Mauritian Muslim of the island every year. It means the end of the Ramadan. The Ramadan is a period of around one month during which the Muslim fast during day time, which means they can eat only when the sun stop shining in the evening and need to finish with eating in the morning before the sun shines. On the day of the festival they exchange gifts with the relatives and make donation to poor people.
Cavadee Festival
Cavadee is celebrated by the Tamil; it is a very impressive festival, usually celebrated in January or February every year. Those participating will have their tongue, cheeks or part of their body pierced with pins and they carry the “cavadee” which is usually a wooden decorated with flowers with a pot of milk. During this period the Tamil will tell you that the devotees are in trance.
Ougadi Festival
Ougadi is celebrated usually in March or April yearly which is the Telegu New Year.
Diwali Festival or Festivals of Light
The Diwali Festival is celebrated by the Hindus in October or November every year. It marks the victory of good over evil, Rama over Ravana. During this night as from six o’clock all Hindus will light small clays lamps around the house and along all the walls. Nowadays lots of houses are decorated with electrical lights chains. And Indian cakes are shared to family and neighbors.
Father Laval
The Father Laval is on the 9 of September. Catholic Mauritian and other religions will walk to Ste Croix in Port Louis to the tomb of the Blessed Jacques Desire Laval known here as Père Laval to pray. He was the first person beatified by the Pope John Paul II after the latter became pope.
Ganesh Chaturti Festival
The Ganesh Chaturti Festival is celebrated by the Hindus which commemorates the birth of the God Ganesh. On this day the Hindus will go to riverbanks or beaches with small replicas of the elephant head God and it need to be immersed in water before sunset.
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