Mauritius is a true melting pot, where the co-existence among Mauritians of Indian, African, European and Chinese ancestry has led to a sharing of cultures and values. The people often collectively participate in festivals and the rich cultural diversity is reflected through the significant presence of temples, mosques, churches, and pagodas beautifying the island.
The Mauritian cuisine is dynamic, where a variety of flavours and aromas inherited from the different migrations through its history blend to create unique dishes. Certain culinary traditions from France, India, China and Africa, have been passed on through generations and still prevail in modern kitchens. French dishes like the daube, Chinese dishes such as fried noodles and the wide spectrum of fragrant Indian spices have become part and parcel of the Mauritian cuisine with a twist.
Mauritius is also blessed with a blend of rhythms from diverse regions (Europe, India and Africa). The most typical folkloric dance of Mauritius is the Sega of African origin, pulsated by the beat of the ravane – a circular drum. It is not surprising to see Mauritians of Indian origin, for instance, dancing to the beats of the sega at a Hindu wedding. To date, ancestral Chinese lion and dragon dances are performed with agility during the festive season.