Indo-Mauritian 5368763 221149889 2008-06-23T07:13:18Z 68.148.164.166 {{Infobox Ethnic group |group = Indo-Mauritian |image = {{flagicon|India}} {{flagicon|Mauritius}} |poptime = 855,000 |popplace = [[Port Louis]], [[Triolet, Mauritius|Triolet]], [[Vacoas]], [[Rose-Hill|Rose Hill]]|langs = [[Mauritian Creole|Creole]], [[English language|English]], [[French language|French]], [[Bhojpuri]], [[Hindi]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Urdu language|Urdu]], [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], others |rels = [[Hinduism]], [[Islam]], [[Christianity]], [[Sikhism]], [[Spiritualist]], [[non-religious]] |related-c = [[Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin]], [[Desi]] }} '''Indo-Mauritians''' are people of [[India]]n descent living on the island of [[Mauritius]], where they represent a majority comprising 68% of the population according to the [[July 2007]] statistics<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mp.html#People CIA - The World Factbook -- Mauritius] Retrieved [[2 May]], [[2007]]</ref>. ==Indentured Labourers== The first of these Indians arrived to the [[Immigration Depot]] in 1834 as [[indenture]]d labourers to work the sugarcane fields. They were often referred to as "[[coolie]]s", working under a leader known as "Sardaar". They were mostly immigrants from [[Bhojpuri]]-speaking areas (including both [[Hindu]]s and [[Muslim]]s) but to a much lesser extent from regions such as [[Gujarat]] and [[Bombay]]. Some [[Tamil people|Tamil]]s and [[Telugu people|Telugu]]s came some decades before, probably brought by the French, as skilled workers. ==Later Immigrants== After the abandonment of the indentured labour system in Mauritius, Indian immigrants had already formed the majority of the population of the island, but there were latter waves of immigrants to complement them. These immigrants came from all over India, with most being [[Hindu]]s. <!--Expand..?: Later immigrants were Muslim traders--> Since the early 1900s, [[Sikh]] [[physician|doctor]]s, [[businessmen]], [[lawyer]]s, [[scientist]]s and [[trader]]s and their families began arriving in Mauritius. These people have contributed significantly to Mauritius' economy and knowledge. ==Demographics and Indo-Mauritians Today== Today the population can be broken down into three main groups: [[Hindus]],[[Muslims]] and [[Christians]]. Of the entire Indo-Mauritian population, [[North India]]n Hindus compose 52%, [[South India]]n Hindus another quarter, and the Muslims (from any part of India) forming most of the the remaining population. There are also minorities, such as [[Sikh]]s, [[Christian]]s, [[Hare Krishna]]s (became popular throughout the 1970s) and [[non-religious]]. A small and unspecified population are also followers of the [[Bahá'í Faith]]. 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 origian, although they are classed as "other" under the national census. Most Indo-Mauritians speak Creole, a large majority speak Bhojpuri. The remaining population speak [[Hindi language|Hindi]], [[Urdu language|Urdu]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]] or [[Telugu language|Telugu]]. Out of the whole population, 0.6% of Indo-Mauritians do not speak [[Mauritian Creole|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 all ethnic groups, 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. {| class="wikitable" |+Prominent Indo-Mauritians !Indo-Mauritian !Birth year !Death year !Description |- |[[Dookhee Gungah]] |1867 |1944 |philanthropist, social worker, benevolent entrepreneur, pioneer of free education in Mauritius |- |[[Seewoosagur Ramgoolam]] |1900 |1985 |first Prime Minister and one of the three founding fathers of Independent Mauritius |- |[[Sookdeo Bissoondoyal]] |1908 |1977 |politician and one of the three founding fathers of independent Mauritius. |- |[[Anerood Jugnauth]] |1930 |alive |current [[President of Mauritius]]. |- |[[Ariranga Govindasamy Pillay]] |1945 |alive |chief justice. |- |[[Navin Ramgoolam]] |1947 |alive |current [[Prime Minister of Mauritius]]. |- |[[Vikash Dhorasoo]] |1973 |alive |Mauritian-French football player. |- |[[Abdool Razack Mohamed]] |1906 |1978 |born in Calcutta, Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Mayor of Port Louis |} ==Sports== [[Football (soccer)|Football]] is the most popular sport amongst Indo-Mauritians. [[Vikash Dhorasoo]] is of Indo-Mauritian origin, with his family originally hailing from the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. He made his international debut in [[2006 FIFA World Cup]], becoming the first person of Indian origin to be in the World Cup. Indo-Mauritians also enjoy Horse-racing, [[Golf]], Water-Skiing, and various other [[water sports]] as well as [[Cricket]]. ==Popular culture== Indo-Mauritian family life was portrayed in 2005 [[Hindi film]] ''[[Dil Jo Bhi Kahey...|Dil Jo Bhi Kahey]]'' with [[Amitabh Bachchan]] in lead role. ==See also== *[[Indo-Réunionnaise]] *[[Indo-Seychellois]] *[[List of Mauritians]] ==Notes and references== ===Footnotes=== <div class="references-small"> <references/> </div> ===Notations=== <div class="references-small"> *[http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107775.html Mauritius: History, Geography, Government, and Culture] </div> {{Template group |list = {{Mauritius topics}} {{NRI-PIO}} }} <!--Categories--> [[Category:Ethnic groups in Mauritius]] [[Category:Ethnic groups in the Indian Ocean]] [[Category:Indian diaspora in Mauritius]] <!--Other languages-->