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In Mauritius, representatives of the world’s most important ethnic and religious groups live side by side in peace
and harmony. The presence in so small an island of people of such diverse cultural and religious backgrounds makes the Mauritian calendar an unending procession of festivals which add spice, variety, colour and
enchantment to the Mauritian experience.
When one considers that festivals are a way of making visible with colour, sound and ritual, what is transcendental, one is frequently amazed not so much
by the pomp and pageantry surrounding them, as by the deeper reality that inspires such devotion and fervour in the celebrants. Festivals in Mauritius are not mere occasions for eating, drinking and merry-making;
they are the outpouring of religious and cultural wells deep within the psyche of a people in whom the religions, cultures and civilisations of Europe, Asia and Africa have merged and combined to form a harmonious
whole.
It is not possible to do justice to all the festivals celebrated in Mauritius. Popular national festivals like New Year’s Day, Independence Day and
Labour Day, have been left out. Festivals which are observed more in terms of individual and family worship have also been excluded. This site presents only those festivals which have high visibility, and which in
their form and substance give a composite picture of the religious and cultural diversity of the Mauritian heritage.
Two Festivals have very special significance for all Mauritian Muslims. These are the Eid-Ul-Fitr, the festival marking the completion of the Ramadhan,
and the Eid-Al-Adha, the festival celebrating the Pilgrimage (Hajj). The ‘Yaum-Un-Nabi’ marking the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad is also celebrated, but not necessarily by all Muslims. The festival known as the
‘Ghoon’ is very high in colour and interest, but it is observed only by a small minority of Mauritian Muslims.
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