CULTURE
The diversity of cultures in Mauritius, brings a numerous of colourful festivals and ceremonies which take place every year.
Some of the main festivals and ceremonies: In January or February the Tamil penitents, while celebrating Cavadee, (pierce themselves through their cheeks, tongues and backs with long skewers while walking on nail shoes. At the same time they carry images of deities). In February or March the Hindus make a pilgrimage to Lake Grand Bassin in honour of Lord Shiva as they take part in the Maha Shivaratree festival. Muslims celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr, Christians celebrate Chrismas and Chinese the Spring Festival.
PEOPLE
Two thirds of the populations are Indian descent, and over 25% are Creole (of mixed French and African background). There are also small Chinese and French communities. And there religion, more than half the people are Hindu, about 30% are Christian (mainly Roman Catholic), and most of the remainder are Muslim. The religions on Mauritius are as diverse:
Hindus 50.6 %
Catholics 27.2 %
Muslims 16.3 %
Others 5.9 %
English is spoken as there official language, and a Creole language are widely spoken, and it include French, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, and Bojpoori.
GOVERNMENT
Mauritius is a parliamentary democracy governed under the constitution of 1968, as amended in 1992. The president (who is the chief of state), is elected by national assembly for five-year term. The prime minister (who is the head of government), is appointed by the president, as is the council of ministers. The unicameral legislature consists of a 70-seat national assembly, 68 members are elected, eight representing ethnic minorities, which are appointed by the president.
THE MAIN FESTIVALS
The main festivals and religious events celebrated in Mauritius are Cavadee, Chinese Spring Festival, Christmas, Divali, Easter, Eid-ul-Fitr, Ganesh Chathurti, Holi, Maha Shivaratree, Père Laval Pilgrimage and Ugadi.
Cavadee
Cavadee is celebrated in January/February. With fire-walking and sword-climbing ceremonies cavadee is among the most amazing Tamil events. The body pierced with needles and the tongue and cheeks with skewers, the devotee, trance-like and in penance, walks in procession to the temple bearing the "Cavadee", a wooden arch covered with flowers with a pot of milk at each end of its base which he or she places before the deity. This day is a public holiday.
Chinese Spring Festival
The Spring Festival, which is the Chinese New Year, is celebrated in January/February, depending on the adjustment of lunar days. Red, symbol of happiness, is the dominant color. Food is piled up to ensure abundance during the year and the traditional wax cake is distributed to relatives and friends. Firecrackers are lit to ward off evil spirits. This festival is a public holiday.
Divali
Divali, the most jovial of all Hindu festivals, celebrated in October/November. It marks the victory of righteousness over evil in the Hindu mythology. Traditionally, clay oil lamps were placed in front of every home turning the island into a fairyland of flickering lights; these have now been replaced mostly by decorative electric lights. This festival is a public holiday.
Eid-ul-Fitr
Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated to mark the end of Ramadhan, the Muslim holy month of fasting. It is a day of thanksgiving and rejoicing for Muslims. Prayers are offered at mosques during the morning. This Eid is a public holiday.
Ganesh Chathurti
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated sometime in September, on the 4th day of the lunar month of the Hindu calendar. It marks the birthday of Ganesha [The God of wisdom and remover of all obstacles]. This is a public holiday.
Holi
Holi is the festival of colors. It celebrates the beginning of spring and people of the Hindu faith enjoy themselves by squirting colored water and powder on each another. It is a time for rejoicing and exchanging greetings.
Maha Shivaratree
Maha Shivaratree is celebrated in honor of Hindu God, Siva (February). Hindu devotees, clad in spotless white, carry the "kanwar" [wooden arches covered with flowers] on pilgrimage to Grand Bassin, to fetch holy water from the lake. The whole scene is reminiscent of the great rituals on the banks of the Holy Ganges in India. This day is a public holiday.
Père Laval Pilgrimage
In September, people of all faiths flock to the shrine of Father Jacques Désiré Laval, 19th century French missionary, in Sainte Croix, Port Louis. One can almost catch a glimpse of Lourdes in the fervor of the crowd who attributes miraculous healing powers to this holy man.
Ugadi
Ugadi is the Telegu New Year. It is usually celebrated in March. This day is a public holiday.