Mauritius Culture, Arts & Society News

A melting pot of African, Indian, Chinese and European influences, Mauritius has a vibrant cultural life. Explore coverage of Sega music and dance, Creole heritage, Diwali, Eid and Chinese New Year celebrations, arts festivals, prominent personalities, and the social issues shaping Mauritian society.

97 Culture stories · Updated continuously · MauritiusNews.com

Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated in Bois-Chéri
Culture

Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated in Bois-Chéri

The southern Mauritian village of Bois-Chéri came alive with colour, devotion, and community spirit as locals gathered to celebrate Ganesh C…

Le Defi Mediaabout 1 month ago
Trompe-l'œil Pastries Take Over Mauritius
Culture

Trompe-l'œil Pastries Take Over Mauritius

A mango that isn't a mango. A lemon concealing a cloud of mousse. A dessert disguised as an everyday object. Welcome to the world of trompe-…

ION Newsabout 1 month ago
Mauritius Pizzas Go Local With Octopus & Salt Fish
Culture

Mauritius Pizzas Go Local With Octopus & Salt Fish

Pizza has firmly embedded itself in the Mauritian diet, with major chains like Pizza Hut and Domino's dominating the market through promotio…

ION Newsabout 1 month ago
Ganesh Chaturthi: From Prayer to Immersion
Culture

Ganesh Chaturthi: From Prayer to Immersion

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most significant Hindu festivals dedicated to Ganesh, the elephant-headed deity revered as the remover of obs…

ION Newsabout 1 month ago
ICC to Offer Umrah Services in Mauritius
Culture

ICC to Offer Umrah Services in Mauritius

The Islamic Cultural Centre (ICC) of Mauritius is on the verge of receiving official authorisation to offer services related to the Umrah, t…

Le Defi Mediaabout 1 month ago
Ganesh Chaturthi: Strong Swells Warning Issued
Culture

Ganesh Chaturthi: Strong Swells Warning Issued

Mauritius has issued a strong swell warning covering the period from Tuesday, September 15 at 4:00 a.m. through to Thursday, September 17 at…

Le Defi Mediaabout 1 month ago
Ganesh Chaturthi Unites Mauritius in Song
Culture

Ganesh Chaturthi Unites Mauritius in Song

Across Mauritius, the vibrant festival of Ganesh Chaturthi once again brought communities together in a celebration rich with devotion, colo…

Le Defi Mediaabout 1 month ago
Nanduth Baboolall : funérailles mercredi
Culture

Nanduth Baboolall : funérailles mercredi

La communauté de Bel-Air-Rivière-Sèche se prépare à rendre un dernier hommage à Nanduth Baboolall, dont les funérailles sont prévues ce merc…

Le Defi Mediaabout 1 month ago
Port-Louis Mourns the Loss of Ambal Mootoosamy-Grenade
Culture

Port-Louis Mourns the Loss of Ambal Mootoosamy-Grenade

Port-Louis is in mourning following the passing of Ambal Mootoosamy-Grenade, a figure whose presence left a meaningful mark on the Mauritian…

Le Defi Mediaabout 1 month ago
Shreeya Bokhoree Wins Africa Designer Award
Culture

Shreeya Bokhoree Wins Africa Designer Award

Mauritius is celebrating another milestone on the international stage as Shreeya Bokhoree, the island's representative at Miss World 2026, h…

Le Defi Mediaabout 2 months ago
Éclipse solaire du 12 août : ce qu'il faut savoir
Culture

Éclipse solaire du 12 août : ce qu'il faut savoir

Le ciel sera une fois de plus au cœur de toutes les attentions le 12 août prochain, avec une éclipse solaire qui suscite un engouement consi…

Le Defi Media2 months ago
Cindy Tokoto Dipita: A Creative Force in Mauritius
Culture

Cindy Tokoto Dipita: A Creative Force in Mauritius

In the vibrant and ever-evolving landscape of Mauritian arts and culture, certain names begin to stand out not just for their talent, but fo…

Le Defi Media3 months ago
Bollywood Star Eyes Mauritius Film Industry
Culture

Bollywood Star Eyes Mauritius Film Industry

Mauritius may be best known for its turquoise lagoons and luxury resorts, but one Bollywood actor believes the island has all the ingredient…

Le Defi Media3 months ago
Zas'artizan: Reviving Mauritius's Lost Flavours
Culture

Zas'artizan: Reviving Mauritius's Lost Flavours

In a food landscape increasingly dominated by imported trends and fast-food culture, one Mauritian family business is quietly swimming again…

Le Defi Media3 months ago
Mauritius Mourns Ex-Met Station Chief Sok Appadu
Culture

Mauritius Mourns Ex-Met Station Chief Sok Appadu

Mauritius is mourning the passing of Subiraj Sok Appadu, the former director of the Mauritius Meteorological Services, a figure whose decade…

Le Defi Media3 months ago
US Independence Day Celebrated at Balaclava Ruins
Culture

US Independence Day Celebrated at Balaclava Ruins

The United States Embassy in Mauritius marked a landmark milestone this week, celebrating 250 years of American independence at one of the i…

Le Defi Media4 months ago
From 'Nenenn' to Geneva: Rajeshree's Fight
Culture

From 'Nenenn' to Geneva: Rajeshree's Fight

Behind every international stage stands a personal story, and for Rajeshree, that story begins with a single word: nenenn. A Creole term use…

Le Defi Media4 months ago
Darwin à Maurice : le journal qu'il n'a pas écrit
Culture

Darwin à Maurice : le journal qu'il n'a pas écrit

En 1836, le HMS Beagle faisait escale à Maurice. Charles Darwin, alors âgé de 27 ans, foula le sol mauricien pendant quelques jours seulemen…

Le Defi Media4 months ago
Ayesha Vydelingum: Storytelling at Her Fingertips
Culture

Ayesha Vydelingum: Storytelling at Her Fingertips

In a literary landscape often dominated by Western narratives, Mauritian writer Ayesha Vydelingum is carving out a distinct and powerful spa…

Le Defi Media4 months ago
Mauritius Mourns Moorthy Nagalingum, the Visionary Behind the Iconic 'Salon de Mai'
Culture

Mauritius Mourns Moorthy Nagalingum, the Visionary Behind the Iconic 'Salon de Mai'

Mauritius is mourning the loss of Moorthy Nagalingum, the celebrated figure widely credited as the driving force behind the 'Salon de Mai,' …

Le Defi Media5 months ago
Festival de Cannes : Canal+ coupe les ponts avec les 600 signataires de la tribune anti-Bolloré
Culture

Festival de Cannes : Canal+ coupe les ponts avec les 600 signataires de la tribune anti-Bolloré

La guerre ouverte entre Canal+ et une partie du monde du cinéma français a franchi un nouveau cap. En marge du 78e Festival de Cannes, Maxim…

ION News5 months ago
Roshni Laullooa: The Mauritian Woman Making Her Mark in Ottawa
Culture

Roshni Laullooa: The Mauritian Woman Making Her Mark in Ottawa

In a world where borders are increasingly fluid and ambition knows no geography, Roshni Laullooa stands as a compelling example of what Maur…

Le Defi Media5 months ago
Mauritius Times ePaper Edition: Friday, 10 April 2026
Culture

Mauritius Times ePaper Edition: Friday, 10 April 2026

The Mauritius Times, one of the island's longest-standing and most respected independent publications, has released its Friday, 10 April 202…

Mauritius Times5 months ago
Are We Heading Toward a Dead End? A Mauritian Doctor Reflects on Humanity's Inevitable Fate
Culture

Are We Heading Toward a Dead End? A Mauritian Doctor Reflects on Humanity's Inevitable Fate

What does it mean to be human in 2025? It is a question that Dr Rajagopal Soondron, writing in the Mauritius Times, tackles with rare intell…

Mauritius Times5 months ago

Frequently Asked Questions

What languages are spoken in Mauritius?−

Mauritius is multilingual. English is the official language of parliament and business; French is widely used in media and education; Mauritian Creole (Kreol Morisyen) is the mother tongue of most Mauritians; and Bhojpuri, Mandarin, Tamil, and Telugu are spoken in various communities.

What is Sega music?−

Sega is the traditional music and dance of Mauritius, originating from African and Malagasy slaves. It features the ravane drum, maravanne shaker, and triangle, with rhythmic dancing and call-and-response singing. UNESCO recognised Mauritian Sega as intangible cultural heritage in 2014.

What are the main festivals celebrated in Mauritius?−

Mauritius celebrates a rich mix of cultural festivals: Diwali (Hindu festival of lights), Eid ul-Fitr (Muslim celebration), Chinese New Year, Christmas, and Maha Shivaratri, one of the largest Hindu pilgrimages outside India, drawing 400,000+ devotees to Grand Bassin each year.

What is the ethnic makeup of Mauritius?−

The Mauritian population is one of the world's most ethnically diverse. Indo-Mauritians (of Indian descent) make up about 68%, Creoles (of African/Malagasy descent) about 27%, Sino-Mauritians about 3%, and Franco-Mauritians about 2%. This diversity shapes the island's food, religion, and cultural life.