Indo-Mauritian

Notable Indo-Mauritians: Navin Ramgoolam · Vikash Dhorasoo
Regions with significant populations
Port Louis · Triolet · Vacoas · Rose Hill
Languages
Mauritian Creole · Bhojpuri · Marathi · English · French · Tamil
Religion
Hinduism · Islam · Christianity · Sikhism · Buddhism · Spiritualist · Non-religious
Related ethnic groups
People of Indian Origin

Indo-Mauritians are people of Indian descent living on the island of Mauritius, where they represent a majority comprising 68% of the population according to the July 2007 statistics.^[1] There is also a significant migrant population of Bhumihar Brahmins in Mauritius who have made a mark for themselves in different fields and they are still in touch with their family members in India and there are instances of marital relations between them to keep their cultural identity intact.^[2] There are also a large number of Koery agriculturists who have made a mark for themselves in every filed in Mauritious being either from eastern UP or Bihar originally. A majority of Indo-Mauritians are of Bihari descent (among the Hindus: Brahmin, Rajput, Kurmi, Bhumihar, Yadav, Banias, and Kayastha castes are well represented).^[3] However, a significant proportion came from other parts of the subcontinent.

Commonly refered to as Indentured Labourers, this term is now considered to be offensive as these Indians arrived to the Immigration Depot in 1834 as "Coolie" Slaves to mainly work the sugarcane fields. They arrived on the same slaves ships previously used to bring slaves from Africa to the East and West Indies and faced the same in many cases the treatment. Working under a leader known as "Sardaar", They were mostly immigrants from the Bihar depotsBhojpuri-speaking areas (including both Hindus and Muslims) but to a much lesser extent from regions such as Gujarat and Bombay. Some ethnic groups including Tamils and Telugus came some decades before, probably brought by the French, as slaves.

After having abandoned the Indentured labourer system in Mauritius, Indian immigrants had already formed the majority of the population of the island, but there were later waves of immigrants to complement them. These immigrants came from all over India, with most being Hindus. [Indian natives came during the French period (i.e. a century before the British) for the construction of the city of Port-Louis and construction of churches, mosques mandirams and kovils. They are known to be the first people to bring Hinduism on the island.

Since the early 1900s, doctors, businessmen, lawyers, scientists, people in the IT sector, traders and their families began arriving in Mauritius. The later waves came from various regions of India, with significant numbers from Maharashtra,Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Bengal, Gujarat, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and New Delhi. These people have greatly contributed to Mauritius' economy and knowledge.

Today the population can be broken down into three main groups: Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Of the entire Indo-Mauritian population, North Indian Hindus compose 52%, South Indian Hindus another quarter, and the Muslims (from any part of India) forming most of the remaining population. There are also minorities, such as Sikhs, Christians, Hare Krishnas (became popular throughout the 1970s) and non-religious. A small and unspecified population are also followers of the Bahá'í Faith. There is also a small Buddhist population.

Hindus tend to follow the Indian Caste system to a certain extent, though, because of their relatively small population in comparison to India, the system has become less complex and in some cases completely overlooked.

There is a Sikh Gurudwara in Port Louis, named Sri Guru Singh Sabha. It is the only major Gurudwara in Mauritius. Most Sikhs outside Port Louis pray at home. Several Mosques and Temples also exist throughout the island. Indian-dominated churches are mostly based in southern Mauritius.

There are also small groups of Indo-Mauritians in Rodrigues, locally known as Indo-Rodriguans. The population on the main island has increased by the arrival of the Chagossians of Indian origin, although they are classed as "other" under the national census.

Most Indo-Mauritians speak Creole. The remaining population speak Hindi, Urdu, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil or Telugu. Out of the whole population, 0.6% of Indo-Mauritians do not speak Creole. However, because most Mauritians are multilingual, most of the Indo-Mauritians speak both Creole and at least one (if not more) Indian Language, plus English and French.

Indo-Mauritians have had the largest impact on Mauritian life dominating the economic and political faces of the island. Most Hindu celebrations are public holidays. Indian food and ingredients are enjoyed by most of the people, with Alouda, Dhol Puri, Carri (curry) being some of the most well-known dishes. Indian influenced music is also strong. The island has its own groups of Bhojpuri singers and this 'style' is becoming as popular as the Sega. Bhojpuri as well as Bollywood and Bhangra are some of the most popular genres of music, however they are mostly enjoyed by the Indo-Mauritians.

Football is the most popular sport amongst Mauritians. Vikash Dhorasoo, born in Harfleur near Le Havre in Normandy, is of Indo-Mauritian origin, his family originally hailing from the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. He was selected for the French squad at the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals, but only saw limited playing time during the tournament becoming the second person of Indian origin to be in the World Cup (Aron Winter being the first).

Indo-Mauritian family life was portrayed in 2005 Hindi film Dil Jo Bhi Kahey with Amitabh Bachchan in lead role.

• Indo-Réunionnais
• List of Mauritians
• Bihari Mauritian