Cap sur Maurice Immobilier - 2019 Cap sur Maurice Destination Immobilier - Edition 2 | Page 39

MAURITIUS ISLAND DISCOVERY Religion The population is so diverse that there is no official religion in Mauritius. Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and other world religions live together, creating a unique cultural mosaic of churches, mosques and various temples. In this melting pot of religious practices, the majority communities are of Hindu origin. Once a year, a great pilgrimage is organised on the site of Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao, a sacred lake lined with huge statues of Shiva and Durga Mata). The second religion of the island, Catholicism is practiced by minorities from Africa, Europe and Asia. Some of the oldest religious buildings on the island are Christian, such as the Saint François d’Assises church in Pamplemousses or the Port Louis cathedral. Father Laval, a French missionary who was sent to Mauritius in late 19th century to ease the burden of the poor, is considered a saint by most Mauritians, of all religions. Each year, a pilgrimage is organised to honour his memory. Islam, the third religion of Mauritius, is practiced by 15% of the population. There are many mosques throughout the island, in which is celebrated for instance the night of Shabaan to mark the beginning of Ramadan, or the night of Miraj for the ascension of Muhammad to heaven. And finally, Buddhism is the 4th religion, and is practiced by three different community groups : Cantonese, Hakkas and Fukienese. The Sino-Mauritian community has its own festivals, such as the Lantern Festival and the Chinese New Year. Tradition Not unlike other countries on the planet, Mauritius has its own traditions. The « Sundowner » is a traditional weekend and holiday ritual whereby Mauritians meet on the beach to enjoy the last rays of the sun; a very pleasant moment, especially in summer. During the weekend, many Mauritians, along with their family or friends, go to the beach where the Sega is usually belted out to the beat of the ravanne, a traditional instrument, and succulent local dishes such as briani, various curries, rougaille saucisse (sausages in tomato sauce) and many others can be enjoyed. The close proximity of these diverse Mauritian cultures has given birth to wonderful and unprecedented community and intercultural interactions. Some festivals and religious traditions are indiscriminately celebrated by the entire population, as for example the exchange of cakes during the festival of Diwali, a Hindu celebration. Horse racing is also very popular. Races take place at the Champ de Mars, in Port Louis, the oldest racetrack in the Southern Hemisphere. On horseracing days, thousands of Mauritians flock to the track to bet on their favourite horses. The atmosphere is unique and folkloric, and is a once in a lifetime experience. 37