When you think of the country Mauritius, what springs to mind? Probably a tropical islands, beaches, and the setting of Amitav Ghosh’s book ‘River Of Smoke’. OK, so probably just the first two points. Mauritian culture isn’t exactly something that most people in the west are knowledgeable about, with the island being famous primarily as a beach location for the wealthy – it’s a step up from the likes of Tenerife and Majorca. Yet for the past five years, the Mauritian Open Air Festival has been promoting the culture of Mauritius in London, in an effort to show that the slice of paradise in the Indian Ocean has more to offer than just soft sand and hammocks for those seeking a respite from the often non-existent British summer.
So, where should people who are curious about experiencing a slice of Mauritian culture head to? North London’s Down Lane Park, at the heart of the city’s Mauritian community, is the festival’s central point, with this year’s celebrations taking place on August 18th. The festival lasts for only one day but, despite that, last year’s celebrations in 2012 managed to attract a whopping ten thousand visitors, who enjoyed a blend of Mauritian music, food, and drink. London’s Mauritian community is larger than you’d likely expect as, according to a 2010 estimate, there are forty seven thousand residents, largely living around Tottenham’s Park View and Ashley Road, that identify themselves as being of Mauritian descent.
Local Mauritian restaurants will be serving up their specialties at the event, with food from Mauritius being a blend of Creole, European, Indian and Chinese cuisine. Those who decide to check out the Mauritian Open Air Festival will get to experience this delicious diversity on their plates, and perhaps wash it down with some rum, the island’s most prominent alcoholic export.
Food and sweet, sweet rum aren’t the only means by which London’s Mauritian community will showcase their culture to the public at large, however. The event has a strong backing from Mauritius’ most prominent musicians and artists, who seem to take great pride in their home island. Sega music, a genre of music hugely important in Mauritius and one that features rattles, goatskin drums and the triangle as its main instruments, will be highlighted by Linzy Bacbotte, who grew up in rural Mauritius and has shot to superstardom on the international stage. Keep an eye on her feet, as those who perform sega are supposed to dance without their feet leaving the ground – the rest of the singer’s body moves instead. Perhaps a good dance to learn for British people, who don’t exactly have a reputation for being the best dancers in the world.
Another act of note is Bruno Raya, also known as Kool B, a founding member of the OSB Crew who has gone on to expand beyond music in Mauritius, becoming a radio presenter, lecturer, social worker and television host. Ino Nakeed is another big hitter at this year’s event, after spending over forty years in the music industry, and amassing over half a million hits on YouTube – not bad for a singer that hails from an island with a population of just over double that figure.
The Mauritian Open Air Festival brings a slice of multicultural sunshine to the British capital, and those who can’t afford to escape to Mauritius’ tropical shores at the moment can be content with a piece of paradise going on in their own backyard. However, if you do find yourself with a sudden, irrepressible urge to visit Mauritius after the festival, First Choice have a number of all-inclusive deals that are slightly easier on the pocket than most.
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