Events

EVENTS IN MAURITIUS

Its rich multicultural heritage is one of Mauritius’ many attractive features. So it’s no surprise that the events and festivals in this island nation should celebrate this diversity, and blend in the major attractions of all cultures. Here are some highlights among the many.

January

The New Year’s festival of Thai Pongai takes place on the first day of the month of Thai to celebrate the end of the harvest season. Happy painted cows are served delicious rice pudding in a festival of cleansing, purification and thanksgiving.

February

‘Ebony 2007’ at Citadelle (Port Louis) marks the celebration of the Abolition of Slavery – and showcases Mauritian skills in the making of clothes, jewellery and other accessories. This is also the month of Thaipoosam Cavadee, the festival when Tamil worshippers sport anatomy-defying piercings in an amazing display of religious fervour. February also brings Maha Shivaratri, when hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees congregate in a volcanic lake to bathe statuettes of Lord Shiva. The Chinese New Year – also known as the Spring Festival – is a another major February event, as families celebrate the beginning of a new year with vows, fireworks, good food and celebration. Fishing fans can keep an eye on the progress of the Marlin World Cup and the South Indian Ocean Billfish Competition.

March

March 12th is Mauritius’ National Day, celebrated throughout the island. Holika Dahan, or the Festival of Colour, sees Mauritian Hindus celebrating good harvests and the Earth’s fertility. Huge bonfires are made on the eve of the festival, while the actual day is marked by loud processions, singing, dancing, traditional songs – and a whole lot more.

April

The Festival D’Art Pyrotechnique is an international firework competition held at Citadelle – and the organisers of the Sydney Fireworks, among others, will be there!

May

The 2007 Reggae Festival features local bands with their songs and live shows, in a style combining elements of reggae, ragga and dancehall with the traditional musical heritage of the Mauritian Sega dance.

September

Pere Laval’s Day sees thousands of devotees flock to the shrine of the 19th century holy missionary Pere Laval, the ‘Saint of Mauritius’ who fought passionately against slavery.

October

Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the Hindu year, and Hindus all over Mauritius celebrate this event as enthusiastically as they do in India. In the same month is Id-ul-Fitr, the Muslim festival celebrated to mark the end of the fasting period of Ramadan.