From Aapravasi Ghat to the Future: The Will to Maintain Legacy

By Nita Chicooree-Mercier

It has been over 191 years since the first indentured labourers sailed from India and landed at the Aapravasi Ghat in Port-Louis. During what is relatively a short time in history, relations between people of Indian origin in Mauritius and the land of their forefathers have been marked by unbroken ties of friendship and kinship that help to boost cooperation in several areas. Notwithstanding the dire situation India faced under the yoke of colonisation and the challenges following its Independence in 1947, robust ties were continuously maintained with Mauritius both before and after the island’s political emancipation in 1968.

Two crucial points to ensure that the bonds between the two countries follow the desired course to benefit the younger and future generations in Mauritius are: First, enhancing knowledge of India’s history, local history of early indentured workers in Mauritius, and the shared spiritual and cultural fundamentals. Second, raising awareness on the importance of a wider use of inherited languages, mainly Bhojpuri, Hindi, and Tamil.

From the early decades of indentured labour from India in the second half of the 19th century and well through the first 50 years of the 20th century, India was referred to as Desh or Bharat in conversations and speeches in Hindi and Bhojpuri. Gradually, as Kreol gained ground across the island, the Kreol word “Linde” was more widely used. Folks here were familiar with the major historical events in India, and All India Radio brought the Indian national anthem VandeMataram to every Indo-Mauritian household. It was listened to with deep fervour, and apparently, that was also the case wherever Indian workers migrated to: Kenya, Tanzania, Trinidad, Fiji, Suriname, and British Guyana.

A Sense of History and Culture

Today, a brief history of India outlining significant periods is needed to educate college students on the country of their forefathers. A local history of the causes of migration and the lives of the labourers on sugar cane plantations could help youngsters connect the dots. This history should encompass not only Mauritius, but also the shared experiences in the West Indian islands, Guyana, and several African countries, to provide the right knowledge on subsequent economic and social development. A more comprehensive history book aimed at adults is likely to foster a broader knowledge and understanding of India. It is worth ensuring that the younger and future generations get to know India better. Indians and people of Indian origin are often said to possess a sense of the past but lack a sense of history. Such a statement deserves to be challenged and corrected.

Beyond festivals and the performance of rites all year round, there is a need for a clear understanding of the philosophy and ethics conveyed through the epics — not only for personal growth and spiritual development, but also to equip everyone with a sound knowledge of their scriptures. This might enable them to explain and respond to people from different cultures and faiths when needed. We have all experienced awkward situations where people from other cultures, mainly from the West, confront us with clichés about the caste system, sacred cows, or multiple deities, asking us to explain things on which they already have preconceived ideas. As the concept of “other faiths” is non-existent in millennia-old scriptures, we are often ill-equipped to respond to what can sometimes feel like an attack rather than a genuine quest to understand Dharmic culture.

Given that a sense of self-righteousness often seeps through the tendency to view others through blinkers of ignorance, the aim is often to emphasize flaws and disqualify the civilization you may represent from a seat at the table of the “anointed ones.” In the worst scenario, you may be expected to apologize for not eating beef or pork, for the caste system that creates untouchables, for the presence of too many gods, for chaotic traffic, and for the overall “too much, too many” factor that characterizes India. Make no mistake: wherever we travel — in Africa, North Africa, Europe, Eastern Europe, the West Indies, or the U.S. — we are immediately associated with India. So we had better ensure we know how to respond to our interlocutors in an interconnected world amplified by social media platforms.

In the past, books like ‘Bhagavad Gita for Students’, penned by Swami Venkatesananda, did a tremendous job of shedding light on the profound philosophy of karma, thought, conscience, intelligence, truth, a sense of duty, and detachment. It would be wise to make such works accessible to younger and future generations. The ethics transmitted by the Ramayana, centred on good governance, the ruler’s duty, loyalty, selfless service, solidarity, the defeat of evil, and the triumph of truth, need to find their proper place in shaping mindsets and conduct. Unfortunately, the plan to promote yoga teaching in schools has been abandoned. Courses in dance and music are still rare in rural areas. The road to ensuring the continuation of this legacy remains paved with obstacles — and, in some cases, indifference.

Languages

Several Indian languages made their way into the minds and hearts of indentured workers who arrived in Mauritius from 1834 onwards. Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, and Telugu found their proper place in the educational system. The use of Bhojpuri, more commonly referred to as “Calcuttea,” was initially shared widely among Hindus and Muslims in everyday conversation. Tamils communicated amply in their own language. Over time, the use of Bhojpuri cut across all ethnic groups, including Marathis, Tamils, and Telugus. The teaching of Hindi nationwide has been amplified over decades, reaching out to all students who wish to study it. The Indian film industry helped keep it alive through popular songs hummed by Hindus and Muslims alike.

Undeniably, the promotion of Kreol from the 1980s onwards by leftist intellectuals and private media gradually relegated Indian languages to the private sphere. Though fluent conversations in Bhojpuri are still common among families and colleagues, Kreol has become the lingua franca in interactions with strangers and in offices. At best, you may hear a security guard say a few words in Bhojpuri, but once you reach the counter, it’s a different story. Many have internalized the idea that Kreol should be used to address members of the public from their own social group in offices. This must change — and it is no use waiting for the authorities to make it happen.

It should instead be an organic movement driven by people themselves to raise awareness of the importance of keeping the language of their shared culture alive. Illustrated books in Bhojpuri for children would greatly help to promote it. The same applies to Hindi, a language many loves for its rhythm, sound, and intonation. Urdu, closely related to Hindi for historical and cultural reasons, holds similar appeal. While Tamils and Muslims have no issue greeting members of their group in their own language, it is disheartening to see young Hindus adopting the adulterated form of the French greeting “Bonzour” promoted by private radios all day long. They are often unaware that abandoning the elegant “Namasté” slowly erodes the cultural fabric. Creating awareness and setting new trends is not a Herculean task. It simply requires goodwill, common sense, and a healthy degree of self-respect.

What is known as the communicative approach to language teaching rests upon active dialogues between pupils in classrooms, rather than passive note-taking from blackboards. The onus is on parents, teachers, and community leaders to raise awareness and keep the languages of their culture alive and vibrant. Language is the backbone of culture; without it, culture staggers, loses vitality, and becomes prone to undesirable external influences. Responsible leaders of cultural associations, together with the public, must certainly recognize the right path to follow if they genuinely seek to preserve their cultural legacy.

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 31 October 2025