The Morne Brabant, the iconic cultural landscape of Mauritius, is celebrating its 15th anniversary of being included in UNESCO's World Heritage List this year. To commemorate this significant occasion, a new alternative route was inaugurated on July 8, 2023, offering visitors a fresh and immersive way to explore the site.
After a five-month closure due to a landslide on the mountainside, access to Morne-Brabant was reopened on Saturday, July 8. During this time, cleaning and pruning work was carried out to create the new alternative route, while ensuring the preservation of the region's endemic plants. Despite the closure of the section affected by the landslide, signposts have been installed to guide visitors along the route.
The inauguration of this alternative route coincides with the 15th anniversary of Morne Brabant's inclusion in UNESCO's World Heritage List. In honor of this special milestone, the Morne Heritage Trust Fund and the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage organized a symbolic hike of Morne-Brabant, paying tribute to the Maroons - the enslaved people who courageously risked their lives to escape servitude.
A story of resistance
Morne Brabant has a historical significance that dates back to the early 19th century when the peninsula provided a sanctuary for Maroons and those seeking refuge from slavery. It was here that enslaved individuals found safety and hope in their pursuit of freedom. However, local legend speaks of a tragic event on February 1, 1835, when an expedition of gendarmes arrived at Morne-Brabant to announce the slaves' emancipation. Amidst confusion and fear of recapture, some believe that the slaves rushed to the mountain's summit and tragically threw themselves into the ocean. While this story is considered a legend without concrete evidence, it is essential to remember that the Maroons were indeed persecuted, often with bounties on their heads.
Since 1987, Mauritius has commemorated this date annually, especially within the Creole community, as a day to honor the abolition of slavery. It symbolizes the bravery and resistance of former slaves against oppression, serving as a reminder of the paramount significance of freedom and emancipation for all Mauritians.
As part of the 15th-anniversary festivities, a wreath-laying ceremony took place on July 10 at the International Slave Route Monument, situated opposite Le Morne public beach. Dignitaries, including the Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and International Trade, Alan Ganoo, paid their respects to the slaves who fought for their freedom by laying wreaths.
To enhance visitors' experiences, artist Jean-Yves L'Onflé led a drawing workshop with around twenty children from the village of Le Morne. The resulting artwork depicted Le Morne mountain with a unique texture created from organic and inorganic materials, and it was generously donated by the artist to the Morne Heritage Trust Fund.
Throughout July and August 2023, the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage has planned a series of commemorative activities to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Morne Brabant's inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This presents a unique opportunity to delve into the captivating history of this exceptional cultural landscape and to celebrate the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Morne Brabant.
