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The complexity of Mauritian society exerts a very significant influence upon the economic and political life of the country. Mauritian society can be
analysed by ethnic category, religious groups, and economic and social classes. However, there is considerable overlapping among each of these different approaches. For the purpose of this chapter, we adopt the
analysis by ethnic category and at the same time draw on the other approaches.
Mauritians of the 1990s have their origins on three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. The majority of Mauritians are in their fifth generation. The
population is composed of four ethnic groups and four major religious groups the Franco-Mauritians and Creoles, who are predominantly Catholic; the Indo-Mauritians, Hindu and Muslim; and the Sino-Mauritians,
àither Buddhist or Catholic. Although each of these different ethnic groups has some cultural ties with their original home-lands, one can talk of a Nauritian Culture which has evolved rapidly very recently
and is going strong among the young population.
THE CREOLES
Creoles are descended from slaves brought to Mauritius from Africa and Madagascar. They are the only ethnic group in Mauritius which has very little tie,
if any at all, with their original homelands. The majority of Creoles are in the eighth generation. They have adopted the French culture, manners, fashion, language and religion. Therefore inter-marriages between
Creoles and ?ranco-Mauritians are more common than between other ethnic groups. The offsprings from these mixed marriages can be referred to as the Coloureds, who tended to occupy most of the white-collar jobs
during the Colonial era. Some coloureds are also of mixed European-African/Indian/Chinese descent. The Coloured community has been successful in the civil service, higher clerical and lower managerial posts in both
agriculture and industry, and in the teaching profession. They can be referred to as the middle class within the Creole Community, and live in the urban areas. Some Coloureds can also be referred to as economic
elites.However, the vast majority of Creoles are purely of African origin and form the second largest community. Very few are agricultural workers. They are mostly skilled artisans employed in sugar and textile
factories, mechanical workshops, garages, and small industries. The remainder are fisherman, dockers, stevedores, fitters, joiners, plumbers and masons. A few have joined the Civil Service, the police force
and army. About half of the Creole population live in the rural areas. A large number of Creoles do not share the same work ethic as the Indo-Mauritians, and prefer to lead a very casual life.
THE FRANCO-MAURITIAN
Franco-Mauritians are the descendants of the French slave owners. Their numbers have always been around 15,000 (1.7 per cent of the population), and it
has been argued that they have purposely kept down their numbers in order to retain their superiority. (Simmons, 1982). Franco-Mauritians, who are effectively the economic elites in Mauritius, have an almost
absolute monopoly in sugar production, and own and cultivate over 55% of the sugar cane land in the island. They also have vast interests in the tourist industry, the Export Processing Zone, agro-based industries
and other industrial concerns, and have a near monopoly in the commercial service sector . They occupy all the top jobs in these sectors and pay themselves very high wages. The younger generation of
Franco-Mauritians are either absorbed in the businesses owned by their community, although they might not be well-qualified for the job, or they emigrate to South Africa, Australia and France where they can take
lower-grade jobs.
Franco-Mauritians are the most secluded community in Mauritius. They rarely mix with other races, for they are still locked in their superiority
complex. They either marry other Franco-Mauritians or take spouses from Europe, Australia and South Africa. They are predominantly catholic and still practise the etiquette, traditions, customs and values of 19th
century France.
THE SINO-MAURITIANS
Sino-Mauritians comprise approximately 3% of the total population. They are the last immigrants to the island. A large number of the older
Siino-Mauritians were born in China. Over half are Catholic and the remainder are er Buddhists or follow other Asian faiths. The majority of Sino-Mauritians chop-keepers, traders and businessmen. They have a
reputation for hard k and great desire for higher education. While two-thirds live in the ital city Port-Louis, the rest are shop-keepers in the villages. The Sinoitians are solidly closer to the other communities
than are the Franco-Mauritians. Nevertheless, Sino-Mauritians seem to have a more privileged access to jobs most European-owned firms and banks, and businesses owned by Francaitians. Although they are treated more
as equals by the Franco-Mauritians, latter still look down upon them as a different ethnic group. In the past years, a tiny Sino-Mauritian economic elite has emerged and are more predominant in the commercial,
Export Processing Zones and service sectors of the country.
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