The trilogy of wreath-laying ceremonies (January 31, 2026)

The commemorations will begin on January 31, 2026 with three wreath-laying ceremonies at the most emblematic historical sites of Mauritius:

The Slave Basin in Pamplemousses This historically significant site was once where slaves were sold at auction. The first ceremony there will pay tribute to the thousands of enslaved people who passed through this site.

The Slave Monument at Pointe Canon in Mahébourg Located in the southeast of the island, this monument commemorates the memory of slaves and is an important place of reflection.

The Frederik Hendrik Historical Site in Vieux Grand Port : this site is of particular importance in the history of resistance to slavery, especially in connection with the act of rebellion of Anna van Bengal.

The official ceremony at Le Morne Brabant (February 1, 2026)

The highlight of the commemorations will take place on February 1st at the International Slave Route Monument, located opposite Le Morne public beach. This date marks the anniversary of the official abolition of slavery in Mauritius in 1835 by the British authorities, following the passage of the Act of the British Parliament in 1833.

The official ceremony will be followed by a cultural program showcasing Creole and African heritage. Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008 under the name "Le Morne Cultural Landscape," remains the quintessential symbol of the resistance of runaway slaves in Mauritius.

Le Morne Brabant: symbol of freedom and resistance

This imposing 555-meter mountain, located in the southwest of the island, served as a refuge for runaway slaves during the 18th and 19th centuries. Its steep slopes and dense vegetation offered a natural shelter that was difficult for colonial authorities to access. The maroon slaves formed small communities in the caves and on the summit.

According to oral tradition, some slaves who had taken refuge at the summit threw themselves into the void as British troops approached to announce abolition, preferring death to what they believed was an attempt at capture. Although archaeological research conducted by the University of Mauritius in 2003 did not confirm this version, the story remains deeply rooted in Mauritian collective memory.

Anna van Bengal: a figure of resistance

A special tribute will be paid to Anna van Bengal (also spelled Anna of Bengal), an emblematic figure of resistance to slavery. This enslaved woman, originally from South Asia, participated on June 18, 1695, in the burning of Fort Frederick Hendrik in Vieux Grand Port, alongside other runaway slaves including Aaron d'Amboine, Antoni dit Bamboes, Paul de Batavia, and another woman named Espérance.

This act of rebellion constitutes the first documented act of insurrection by enslaved workers in Mauritius during the Dutch occupation. Anna van Bengal is now a symbol of freedom and resistance, particularly highlighted as a female figure in the struggle against oppression.

A rich cultural and educational program

Exhibitions and artistic events

The Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture, in collaboration with the National Art Gallery, will present an exhibition entitled "Slavery: Reparations and Restitution" from February to March 2026. This exhibition will be accompanied by a painting competition and a slam poetry competition at Lespas Lar in Pointe aux Sables, aiming to involve younger generations in the transmission of this history.

Literary launch and historical exhibitions

On February 2, 2026, Nicholas Couronne's book "The Gaze of the Slave Ancestor" will be launched, accompanied by a double exhibition dedicated to Furcy Madeleine and Constance Couronne. Furcy Madeleine (1786-1856) is a major historical figure who waged a 27-year legal battle (from 1817 to 1845) to regain her freedom; her story is emblematic of individual struggles against slavery.

Traveling Educational Program

Throughout February, the National Heritage Fund will be deploying a travelling educational exhibition on the abolition of slavery in schools and regional centres across Mauritius. This educational initiative aims to instill in younger generations an understanding of this historical legacy and its contemporary implications.

The history of slavery in Mauritius

Successive colonial periods

The history of slavery in Mauritius begins with the Dutch occupation between 1638 and 1710. Commander Adriaan van der Stel brought about a hundred Malagasy slaves in the 1640s. After the departure of the Dutch, the French colonized the island in the 18th century, renaming it "Isle de France".

During the French period, the island became a major hub of the slave trade. Some 160,000 African and Malagasy slaves were brought to the Mascarene Islands throughout the 18th century to work on sugar cane plantations and build the colony's infrastructure: port, roads, public buildings.

In 1810, the British took possession of the island and restored its name to Mauritius. At that time, 70% of the population were slaves. The British imported approximately 60,000 more until the slave trade was abolished in 1833.

The gradual abolition of slavery

February 1, 1835 marks the official date of the abolition of slavery in Mauritius, but the reality was more complex. After the law was passed by the British Parliament in 1833, slave owners resisted and negotiated a transitional system called "apprenticeship," which kept former slaves dependent on the properties.

It was only in 1839, following the intervention of the British Anti-Slavery Society, which denounced the system as a disguised form of slavery, that abolition became effective. London then offered compensation amounting to 40% of the estimated value of each slave (a total of £1.2 million), which finally allowed for genuine abolition.

On February 1, 1835, 66,343 people were freed in Mauritius.

Places of remembrance in Mauritius

Beyond Le Morne Brabant, several sites on the island bear witness to this history:

The Slave Basin in Pamplemousses : place where slaves were sold at auction during the colonial period.

Fort Frederick Hendrik in Vieux Grand Port : site of the first documented slave revolt in 1695, a place now honored for the courage of Anna van Bengal.

The Intercontinental Slavery Museum in Port Louis Housed in the former military hospital, this museum documents the history of slavery in Mauritius and the Indian Ocean.

The Aapravasi Ghat in Port Louis Opened in 2006, this museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2006, bears witness to the history of indentured labor, a system of contract work that replaced slavery and brought hundreds of thousands of Indian workers.

The impact of abolition on Mauritian society

The abolition of slavery profoundly transformed the social, cultural, and economic fabric of Mauritius. After 1835, the British brought indentured laborers from India to replace slave labor on the sugar plantations. This mass migration created the island's unique multicultural character.

Today, the Mauritian population descends from African, Malagasy, Indian, Chinese, and European ancestors. This diversity is reflected in all aspects of island life: language, cuisine, music, festivals, and religious traditions.

Sega: the music of freedom

Abolition also fostered the development of distinct musical forms, notably séga, a genre rooted in the experiences of enslaved Africans and Malagasy. With its characteristic rhythms and expressive melodies, séga became the soundtrack of resistance and freedom. In the 1980s, seggae, a fusion of séga and reggae popularized by the artist Kaya, brought Mauritian musical identity to the international stage.

Mauritian Creole: a language of survival that has become a national language

Mauritian Creole developed as a means of communication between African and Malagasy slaves and French colonists. Born as a language of survival and resistance, it became the mother tongue of the vast majority of Mauritians, a living symbol of the legacy of slavery transformed into cultural wealth.

International recognition

On August 8, 2004, the Parliament of Mauritius approved a parliamentary motion recognizing for the first time that slavery and the slave trade were crimes against humanity. This official recognition marked a turning point in the way Mauritius addresses this painful legacy.

February 1st has been a public holiday in Mauritius for many years, allowing the entire nation to reflect and remember this part of its history.

The theme of repairs

This year, the theme "Justice for Africans and Peoples of African Descent through Reparations" places Mauritian commemorations within a broader international debate on reparations related to slavery and colonization. This issue now fuels discussions between former colonizers and former colonies, focusing on recognition, compensation, and the restitution of cultural heritage.

Practical information for visitors

The commemorations of the 191st anniversary of the abolition of slavery are open to the public. The main sites to visit are:

• Le Morne Brabant Accessible via guided hikes, offering spectacular views and an immersion in history
• The Slave Basin in Pamplemousses : located in the north of the island, near the famous Botanical Garden
• Fort Frederick Hendrik in Vieux Grand Port : in the southeast, near Mahébourg
• The Intercontinental Slavery Museum in Port Louis : in the city center, accessible all year round

February 1st being a public holiday, shops and government offices are closed. Official ceremonies are free and open to all.

Conclusion

The 191st anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Mauritius is not simply a commemoration of the past. It serves as a reminder that freedom, justice, and equality remain ongoing struggles. By honoring the memory of enslaved people and recognizing their contribution to building the Mauritian nation, the island lays the foundations for a more just future, one more aware of its heritage.

These commemorations demonstrate the maturity of a nation capable of confronting its history, honoring the suffering of its ancestors while celebrating the resilience that has shaped its unique multicultural identity. Mauritius thus offers the world an example of how historical pain can be transformed into cultural richness and collective strength.