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Mauritius is the homeland of two distinct Chinese groups: the Cantonese and the Hakkas. The first Chinese immigrants came to Mauritius in the 1820’s from
the province of Kwang Tong in southeast China, and constitute the smaller group. The Hakkas, originating from the province of Honan in central China came later and constitute much the larger group. The Chinese
immigrants were followers of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. However, during the recent decades there has been among the younger generations a large number of conversions to Christianity. In fact, about
four-fifths of the Chinese now living in Mauritius have become Christians, predominantly Roman Catholics. Of the remaining 4,598 a larger number are Buddhists. It could be said of the Chinese that despite the impact
of Christianity, most of them, particularly those of the older generation, are still attached to their ancestral culture, customs and traditions. And to this day, despite the profound social, cultural, economic and
religious changes that have overtaken the Chinese community, religion has remained with them an expression of Chinese culture rather than a system of dogma.
Mauritian Chinese, in general, are not strict Roman Catholics, nor strict Taoists, Confucianists or Buddhists. In matters regarding religious belief and practice they are open and
accommodating. Their pragmatism has enabled them to adapt themselves very conveniently to a modernising society increasingly dominated by Western norms and practices. The Roman Catholic Ch~urch has adopted a liberal
attitude towards them and emphasises the similarities between Roman Catholicism and traditional Chinese ‘religion’, to convince the community that Roman Catholicism can be smoothly integrated into the mainstream of
their cultural and religious life. Most Chinese Catholics still frequent Chinese pagodas, and make offerings to Kwan Ti, Buddha and their ancestors. ‘This is particularly common among the older generation, obviously
finding themselves in a transition phase. They grew up with the traditional Chinese religion (in general, a mixture of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucianist ideas). Their children learned about the Christian faith at
school, and influenced their parents who went with them to church. Still the old tradition is deeply rooted, making it hard to leave aside, especially since ancestor worship plays such an important role in daily
life’.
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