Maurice (Mauritius)

Musique de l'île Maurice

Languages : créole mauricien (off.), français, anglais.

Creole music between Black heritage and multiple influences

Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar, possesses a vibrant music stemming from Creole communities descended from African and Malagasy slaves, as well as Asian, European, and Chinese influences. Mauritian music is a true musical melting pot of the Indian Ocean.

Creole tradition: sega and ravanne — the ancestral drum of slavery

The sega is the emblematic Mauritian Creole music, born from the songs of African and Malagasy slaves deported to the island. The sega is played with the ravanne (circular frame drum covered in goat skin), the kazay (metal triangle) and Creole maracas. Sega dancers wear colorful fringed skirts and accompany their steps with the rhythms of the ravanne. Traditional instruments also include the perforated gourd and the Creole musical bow.

Mauritian moutya: the dance of slaves around the fire

The moutya is a Mauritian musical genre born in plantations, characterized by slow and sensual rhythms accompanied by songs in Mauritian Creole. Moutya is traditionally danced around a campfire, with characteristic body movements. The instruments of the moutya include the frame drum, Creole banjo and polyphonic singing in Mauritian Creole.

The contemporary Mauritian scene

Modern music from Mauritius integrates Bollywood, afrobeat and Creole zouk influences. Contemporary artists like Gaëlle Lestage and the group Ravanne continue to shine Mauritian music internationally. The kreol sega is a modern style that fuses traditional sega with electronic and modern sounds.

Traditional instruments of Mauritius

Ravanne — Mauritian Creole circular frame drum, emblematic instrument
Kazay — metal triangle used in Mauritian sega
Creole maracas — rattles made of perforated gourds
Mauritian perforated gourd — Creole percussion instrument used in ceremonies
Mauritian Creole musical bow — traditional string instrument of the Indian Ocean islands