The main cultural assets of Mauritius

The Republic of Mauritius is known throughout the world for its multi-ethnic and multi-cultural nature. Despite its size, Mauritius has a diverse and dynamic cultural heritage which was brought to its shores by people of different origins from various parts of the world. Today, these cultures, traditions, social practices and religions form an integral part of the Mauritian Cultural Heritage. The cultural heritage of Mauritius consists of both tangible and intangible heritage. Our heritage resources are the pride of our nation.

The legal framework on cultural heritage conservation

Cultural heritage preservations has always been a priority for Mauritius. Before the setting up of the National Heritage Fund, which is the National Authority responsible for the safeguarding and management of heritage, the heritage of Mauritius was managed in accordance with the Ancient Monuments Act of 1944, which was updated in 1985 through the National Monuments Act. In an attempt to develop the concept of management of national heritage, the National Heritage Trust Fund legislation was enacted in 1997 and in 2003, the new National Heritage Act was proclaimed. In addition, there are other Legislations and Regulations that have been enacted for cultural heritage preservation namely:

• Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund Act 2001;
• Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund Act 2004;
• Local Government Act 2011;
• Planning and Development Act 2004: Planning Policy Guidance 6 – Urban Heritage Area: Buffer Zone of AGWHP 2019;
• Planning and Development Act 2004: Planning Policy Guidance 2 – Le Morne Cultural Landscape;
• Planning and Development Act 2004: Action Area Plan for Urban Heritage Buffer Zone of AGWHP 2019.

The cultural and natural sites on the World Heritage List

Mauritius is party to several UNESCO conventions pertaining to the safeguarding and management of our national and world heritage. We have a rich collection of archival documents of value such as:

• The records of the French Occupation of the island which are inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register;
• The archives of the Indenture Immigration in Mauritius which are inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register;
• The Aapravasi Ghat and Le Morne Cultural Landscape which are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

With regard to Intangible Cultural Heritage, over the past five years the Republic of Mauritius succeeded in inscribing three elements on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage namely the Sega Tipik, the Bhojpuri Geet Gawai and the Sega Tambour of Rodrigues in 2014, 2016 and 2017 respectively. Furthermore, in December 2019 the Sega Tambour Chagos has been inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.

Moreover in 2019, UNESCO has granted the label “site of memory associated with Slave Route” to six sites namely Bassin des esclaves, La place du Bourg, Powder Mills Archaeological Site, Slave Cemetery, St. François d’Assises Church and SSR Botanical Garden along the Pamplemousses Slave Heritage Trail Itinerary. The village of Pamplemousses and its surroundings provide rich opportunities for the memorialization of slavery and the slave trade.

Mauritius is a Member State of ICCROM since 29/07/1998

Mandates in ICCROM Council since 1958:

ICCROM Staff since 1959: 1

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Government Cultural Heritage Institutions

• National Heritage Fund
  
• Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund
  
• Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund
  
• National Archives
  
• Mauritius Museum Council
  
• Islamic Cultural Centre Trust
  
• Marathi Cultural Centre Trust
  
• Telegu Cultural Centre Trust
  
• Tamil Cultural Centre Trust
  
• Nelson Mandela Centre Trust for African Culture
  

State Commitment
Mauritius had set up the Truth and Justice Commission with a view to alleviating the sequelles of slavery in our country, one of its recommendations being the setting up of the Intercontinental Slavery Museum in the Capital city of Port Louis. Thanks to state commitment, the above museum will be set up with a view to bringing up the historical facts associated with slavery and its aftermath. The Intercontinental Slavery Museum is expected to give more visibility to slavery and the slave trade in the Indian Ocean, promote slave history, and emphasize the contribution of the African Diaspora in the world development. Its objective is to link countries, which formed part of the slave trade network in the 18th and 19th centuries.

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