Looking for input about life in Mauritius

Hello Emil & Sarah,

Welcome to Expat.com

Thanks for introducing yourselves on the Mauritius forum.

Please note that a new thread has been created on the Mauritius forum with your original post from the New members thread.

A stand-alone topic will ensure that your list of questions benefits from increased visibility and hence garner more responses.

All the best,

Diksha
Team Expat.com

Hi fellow SA.
I'm from Brakpan in Gauteng.

Welcome... Everything and all questions are answered already.

I love Mauritius, I have been visiting since 93 but in 2008 met my husband and lived in JHB and Mauritius
I am here now quite a while because of the pandemic.

Luv it here. U will also

Keep in touch
Sorokio Idoo

Hi Emil & Sarah

Thanks for the message, small advice:

Does the cyclone storms affect you? it depends on the cyclone class. if you have a concrete house with no water accumulation it is good.
Does wind and weather change in different locations? In Mauritius you are normally between 18 degrees to 28 degrees year round.
Should one take out extra health care and which is recommended? Swan is the best on the market, a bit more expensive but a better quality service.
We would be interested in a vessel for sale. I can put you in relation with a vessel broker if needed.
We will be visiting the island soon to familiarize us with the conditions
Should one buy a car here or ship? better here, you will pay the duties at the end of theday.

I am reachable on watsapp on +XXX if needed.

Thanks

Please do not post contact details on the open forum. Use the PM system for this

I am taking the liberty of posting an entire subReddit here entitled "What is Life like in Mauritius" - some of it makes for interesting reading, and the varying negative and positive opinions fascinating...


source:
https://www.reddit.com/r/mauritius/comm … mauritius/


r/mauritius
•Posted byu/bethcop
12 days ago

What is life like in Mauritius?

culture
Hi everyone, I'm from the UK and am in the process of doing my Commonwealth Award with Girlguiding. As part of the award we need to learn all about another commonwealth country. So I chose Mauritius!

It would be great of you could share what life is like in Mauritius, including (but not limited to):

Traditions

Culture

Music

Food! (please share your favourite recipes I would love to try them!)

I look forward to learning more about your country!

Thank you 😊

Edit: Thank you everyone for your responses! They have been very insightful. I hope one day I get to visit your wonderful island!

31 Comments


100% Upvoted
DaBi5cu1t
·
12d
Mark Twain wrote that heaven was created after Mauritius and that heaven copied it.

Sega dancing is local cultural dance

The dodo was native to Mauritius

I'm from the UK too and I love Mauritius as a holiday destination

There is an island on the west coast that is completely inhabited by stray dogs




level 2
Rmaxwell005
·
12d
Im mauritian and it's the 1st time I'm hearing from this. An island inhabited by stray dogs? Thus by definition they are not stray dogs anymore...


level 3
DaBi5cu1t
·
12d
The boat driver probably twisted the truth but it was Il Aux Benitiers


level 2
jeyoung
·
12d
Rodrigues
Mark Twain wrote that heaven was created after Mauritius and that heaven copied it.

This must be one of the most repeated misquotes! To the great benefit of Mauritius of course :-)

Mark Twain was sarcastically saying that the locals spoke as if heaven was copied after Mauritius.


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level 3
oxacuk
·
11d
He wasn't really being sarcastic; he was saying that the citizens' opinions of the country varied greatly and included an overwhelmingly positive one, as u/aramjatan said.

Here's the source.


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level 4
jeyoung
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11d
Rodrigues
Yes, I've read that. And I interpret this as sarcasm, based on the rest of his opinions about Mauritius.


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level 2
aramjatan
·
12d
This is an often misquoted phrase. Mark Twain actually wrote that according he got varying degrees of appreciation of the island from the locals. From one he got the idea that Mauritius was made first, then heaven, copied after Mauritius. From another citizen, he got a different opinion. I too believed that was what he wrote until I looked into it deeper around in 2020, out of boredom due to covid lockdown.


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level 1
AutomaticChewingGum
·
12d
Mauritius is a great country. We have great air quality, low violence, and everything you need to live a peaceful life.

We have a mix of traditions and culture and this can be seen as both good and bad. Good as in we have diversity and bad as in we can have unnecessary conflicts. For example, many people are still forced to marry in their own religion or race. We also can't start OnlyFans because religious influence makes it illegal.

When it comes to music we have some decent local artists like Big Frankii. Check out his song called Playa on youtube, you won't be disappointed.

As for the food I don't really care about local stuff because it's mostly junk food. For example, a popular dish is deep fried bread. American cuisine has also infiltrated the country like everywhere else. Mcdonalds and kfc are very popular.


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level 1
ronymaree
·
11d
This ebook was quite interesting.. you might find some good infos on the topics you’re looking for. I did not read all of it, but as a Mauritian, I agree to the parts I read so far 🙂

https://www.pdfdrive.com/mauritius-cult … 48192.html


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level 1
ajaxsirius
·
12d
That's a very broad question. If you could narrow it down I'd be glad to answer.

Mauritius is big mix of different cultures, so you the responses you get will vary greatly from one community to another. Our cultures remain somewhat separate (compared to other countries) but we celebrate our differences and mostly respect other communities. This has its own advantages and disadvantages.

I might be weird, but I don't really listen to music. Last thing I listened to was TWICE (kpop).

One of my mauritian go to's and comfort food is Corned Beef Rougaille.


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level 2
aramjatan
·
12d
kpop? Please say BlackPink! Last year one of the girl classmates of my kid, who was over for his birthday party played a few songs by them. One of them was so catchy it stayed in my head for days after!


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ajaxsirius
·
12d
I was listening to TWICE, which is a lot more bubblegum pop when compared to Blackpink, but catchy as well (I think all kpop songs are designed to be catchy).


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aramjatan
·
12d
I found the one that got to me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioNng23DkIM

Was as "bad" as Baby Shark do do do do


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level 2
bethcop
OP
·
10d
Thank you for your reply and the recipe!

Here are some questions I have: What holidays do you celebrate and how do you celebrate them?

Are there any traditional clothes?

Is there a national sport? Or a sport that everyone goes crazy for? (Like football in England)

Are there any places you would consider to be a hidden gem of Mauritius?


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level 1
redspike77
·
12d
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edited 12d
I doubt you would be able to answer the question, "what is life like in the UK". It's the same here. Different cultures, each with their own ways of living. What is below is my personal experience of Mauritius having lived here for the past 20ish years which I hope may add some context to what you are writing.

I'm from England, from a rather posh area in Kent that still had some moderate violence here and there - enough to make you think twice about walking alone at night. I used to have to wake up at around 05:00, commute for 3 hours, work until it was getting dark (or already dark - thank you daylight savings) and then go home to repeat this again the next day. Going out consisted of drinking (when I was younger it was dancing and drinking) and the drunker you got indicated (fallaciously) how much fun you'd had.

Then I was forced to go on holiday to Mauritius in 2002 (or 2000 - can't remember). I expected it to be boring and I hate travelling anyway (possibly due to the amount of commuting I'd done) however I found some things that I hadn't expected.

First, there were queues at the bank during working hours and not just at lunch. Sounds insignificant but it meant that people had some flexibility during work.

I saw a "fight" that involved two people who were clearly very, very angry with each other but also clearly didn't want to get stuck in and actually physically fight. Add to this that it felt completely safe to be walking around at night. (This isn't true everywhere, but in most places it's fine). And no gangs of chavs or any kind of equivalent. Note, there is still violence in Mauritius but it is less prevalent than back home.

Everyone I met was very polite, not just to me as a foreigner, but in general to everyone. The younger people were respectful and polite too. It might have been a surface level respect, but it was respect nonetheless.

I got a job, and the folks I met at work were wonderful. Everyone accommodated my shameful lack of linguistic skills (i.e. they all spoke English) and explained cultural things to me when needed. The complete opposite of when foreigners come to England and don't understand things. (Ok, I'm generalising but I hope you get the point).

In general, what Mauritius has that might be lacking back home is a general atmosphere of peace. There are always some elements who try to bring politics, racism, etc. into everything and I'm guessing that they spend a majority of their time just feeling angry and maybe they have a point but I feel like these people are grossly exaggerating the negatives (that you would find in any country may I add) whilst being oblivious to the positives that they probably take for granted.

In short, Mauritius is a fantastic place to live. After coming here on holiday, I stayed. I do miss some things from back home and when that happens I watch the news and I'm quickly reminded about the best things of Mauritius.

I should just say one more thing though. There was a time when I seriously considered leaving Mauritius. The prime minister loved the sound of his voice and made sure that news coverage featured a lot of him talking. He had already done and was planning to do a lot of silly stuff. When the next election rolled around I figured I'd leave if this guy got re-elected but he didn't. He got arrested instead, which was nice. It confirmed my belief in the people of Mauritius in general and I'm glad and very proud to be living here.

Edited for spelling and grammar


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level 2
AsianFrenchie
·
12d
I am a Mauritian and I don't feel safe to walk outside at night.

I also used to stay in Cape Town and fell comfortable enough to walk in my then neighborhood


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level 3
Doctor_X9
·
11d
Then you're just paranoid. Cape Town is × 1000 times more dangerous than any region in Mauritius.

I'm a South African living in Mauritius, and I can tell you that there are very few cities in the WORLD that are as dangerous as Capetown.


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level 4
Spidy_Duz_It
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8d
im a South African, looking to move to Mauritius with a young family. which are the safest areas to move into


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level 4
AsianFrenchie
·
11d
So walking in Rondebosch or bishopscourt at night is 1000 times more damgerous thst walking in Roche bois at night?

Totally not paranoid and 100 % justified


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level 4
coolinny
·
7d
100% agree with you!


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level 3
_RitZ_
·
11d
I think that Mauritians like to spread rumours a lot. It's like an epidemic here frankly. I can't speak for every region but here is Quatre Bornes I heard mugging that happened in inner streets, fights and whatnot. However I used to walk 1.5km at night from my house to gym in inner streets as an adolescent, something equivalent in another road and main road, bicycle and walk around as young adult around 1-3am. I was scared shi less first time I walked those poorly lit streets but then I realised that people are mostly inside, barely anyone were on streets. Those rumours were false or in specific spots like Boulette Palace, infamous spot for fights or near night clubs. Similar experience walking at night in Curepipe, St Paul with cousins in inner streets. People here mostly do not roam streets at night. There are specific spots that you have to be aware of, that's all.


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level 1
wayneio
·
12d
The main thing to know is there are a bunch of quite independent communities, the biggest are white french, mixed South African, Indian Mauritian, Chinese Mauritian and African Mauritian (the latter often defended from slavery). The answers will likely be from one of these groups. Historically the french colonised and turned the island into a massive slave sugar colony, later the British defeated them to take over before granting independence


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level 1
enemoricien96
·
12d
Mauritius sucks. Corrupted politics, widespread racism from different etnic groups, rich but old culture, bad roads, lightings and markings, don't even get me started on the traffic, accidents and dumb drivers. Freedom of speech can be prosecuted under "annoyance laws" Religious and "bodyguards" groups dictate much in some regions Low income families are basically left to by themselves. Good luck trying to move up the ladder. 4 out of 10, comparable to third world countries, which is expected. On the good side, there is a light rail transit system now.


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level 2
mimsoo777
·
12d
While you are not 100% wrong, you are focusing solely on the negative side, which trust me, any country will have their fair share of negatives. I consider myself lucky to be born there. Although it cannot compete with first world countries, it did educate me enough and equipped me with the appropriate tools to go out there and seek better things. I hope someday to give back. It is not a perfect country or paradise by no means, but Mauritius has great potential.


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level 3
enemoricien96
·
12d
It is because of the "good" that it received a 4, imo.


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level 2
jeyoung
·
10d
Rodrigues
Good luck trying to move up the ladder. 4 out of 10, comparable to third world countries, which is expected.

This comparison is pointless, given that countries are no longer categorised as First World, Second World, and Third World. Even the classification as Developed and Developing is no longer recommended.


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level 3
enemoricien96
·
10d
Okay, Tell me, What 'new' term would you use to quantify the progress of South Sudan, Bangladesh and Germany?


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level 4
jeyoung
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10d
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edited 10d
Rodrigues
Progress in what area? In economy, GDP per capita* would be a good choice.

Edit: 'GDP per capita'


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level 5
enemoricien96
·
10d
So, as per your logic, China has progressed way more than Germany? Having a higher GDP and all . Demographic Progress is a more proper term, comes from the same principle as developed, developing, under developed (or 1st, 2nd and 3rd worlds). It envellopes a broad range of themes within a country's population. I am still wondering where and how you have concluded that those terms above are outdated, friend.


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level 6
jeyoung
·
10d
·
edited 10d
Rodrigues
Right, I was going to respond with, what are you talking about? But I did not type 'per capita' as I intended. My bad.

You should research the origin of First World, Second World, and Third World. You'll find that the terms have been abused over time to mean other things, like level of development.

Developed and Developing were introduced to correct that, but even that classification is recognised as not making sense anymore as there are no firm criteria. Which is why some countries are mad at China for maintaining their 'developing country' status.

Edit: To be clear, my gripe with the Third World label is that it is rather demeaning, especially when applied to one's own country.


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level 1
jeyoung
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10d
·
edited 10d
Rodrigues
Traditions -- There are many traditions due to the mix of different peoples in Mauritius, but some have crossed race and religious barriers to become wholly Mauritian. For example, Christmas is celebrated by all, albeit with less religious significance for non-Christians, and New Year is celebrated by all groups despite each also marking their traditional year beginning in their own way. Contrary to the UK, New Year celebrations are bigger than Christmas celebrations.

Culture -- Mauritius is multi-cultural, inheriting the cultures of Indian, Chinese, European, and African immigrants. Each group maintains some degree of their heritage though. We watch many western films, but Bollywood films are also popular. We read more western literature than native literature, probably because our education, and by extensions what we read, is influenced by the British and French systems.

Music -- We have many local artists. For a long time, sega was the main music genre, but it has been influenced by reggae, rock, blues, Indian music, etc. to branch in many sub-genres unique to Mauritius.

Food -- Too much variety to choose from. But I just had dholl puri for lunch and dinner yesterday, so I am going to nominate it :-)

Thank you, makes for interesting reading.

Hello,
Did you move yet? Which part of the island? How are you enjoying Mauritius? We have a boat for sale if you are still looking.

Thanks, no in December.  Will be west coast area due to school.

Hello mishkj
Good to read your message. We have not yet arrived in Mauritius our tickets are booked for early October. If you haven’t sold your boat by then we would be very interested!
Warm wishes
Mary