BOOK REVIEW The Book of Colour by Julia Blackburn The Book of Colour tells the stories of 4 generations of a family, living in the Seychelles, Mauritius and England in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The story is told through the eyes of an innocent child, often unware of the significance… Continue reading The Book of Colour by Julia Blackburn
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Eliacin Francois (1841-1878)
Eliacin Francois (1841-1878) Mayor of Port Louis from 1868 to 1869 Eliacin Francois was a Creole entrepreneur and a successful businessman. His election as municipal councillor following on from Hyppolite Lemière was a landmark in official recognition of the contribution of the coloured class of Creoles. Eliacin Francois was a regular contributor to “La… Continue reading Eliacin Francois (1841-1878)
Is Paul Lemiere the real owner of the Chagos archipelago?!
Is Paul Lemiere the real owner of the Chagos archipelago?! Paul Lemiere is one of the heirs of Joseph Hippolyte Le Miere, the jouissance holder and later the rightful owner of virtually all of the outer islands of Chagos according to a contract signed by a former Governor of Mauritius, Sir Henry Barclay in the… Continue reading Is Paul Lemiere the real owner of the Chagos archipelago?!
An eye witness account of the 1968 riots
An eye witness account of the 1968 riot Plaine Verte is a suburb of the capital of Mauritius. Until 1968, it was home to a heterogenous community of Muslims and Christians. This closely intertwined community of two ethnic/religious groups who co-existed for over a century found itself at the centre of the riots which took… Continue reading An eye witness account of the 1968 riots
INDIAN LANGUAGES IN MAURITIUS
INDIAN LANGUAGES IN MAURITIUS I – THE PRE-INDENTURE PERIOD The subcontinent of India incorporates within its borders a multiplicity of languages, cultures and religions. Representatives of many of these ethnic groups embarked on the migrant ships which brought indentured labourers to Mauritius. In the process of reconstituting an ethnic identity in their country of adoption,… Continue reading INDIAN LANGUAGES IN MAURITIUS
The Biharis of Mauritius: Past and Present
The Biharis of Mauritius: Past and Present To be a Bihari, or a person of Bihari descent, may seem a simple concept, free from confusion or distortion. Yet the state of Bihar itself has undergone modifications, whilst the absorption of other minority ethnic groups into the present-day self-defined community of Biharis has been a… Continue reading The Biharis of Mauritius: Past and Present
Anjalay Devi Coopen
Anjalay Devi Coopen, also known as Anjalay Tassalam Twakaran, is a famous name in Mauritius because as a 48 year old pregnant labourer, she was shot by the police on 27 September, 1943, reportedly during a religious ceremony at a baitka held at Belle Vue Harel, at a time when there was general unrest on… Continue reading Anjalay Devi Coopen
Captain Matthew Flinders at the Isle of France [Mauritius], 1803-1810
Captain Matthew Flinders at the Isle of France [Mauritius], 1803-1810 On 15th December 1803 Captain Matthew Flinders sailed into a quiet bay of the Isle of France, a small French outpost in the southwest Indian Ocean, in the Cumberland. Only a few weeks earlier, a French ship had brought news of the rupture of… Continue reading Captain Matthew Flinders at the Isle of France [Mauritius], 1803-1810
The Jones Family Name in Mauritius
The Jones Family Name in Mauritius Jones as a family name is fairly common and it is not surprising that after the British take-over of the island in 1810 a number of soldiers by the name of Jones are recorded as having resided in Mauritius. Henry Berkely Jones. First child of Reverend Robert Edward… Continue reading The Jones Family Name in Mauritius
Why is ‘Grand Port’ important?
Why is ‘Grand Port’ important? History will always be a key subject for study because of the lessons the past can teach us, but the study of history will and should always engender discussion and controversy because of the many ways in which a single event can be interpreted. The bicentenary has provoked a… Continue reading Why is ‘Grand Port’ important?