Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
KAYA
It was a black day for Mauritius, and a blacker one still for the Creole community. On 21 February 1999, the sing-
er Joseph Topize (aka Kaya) was found dead in his police cell, seemingly a victim of police brutality, after being
arrested for smoking cannabis at a pro-legalisation rally.
As the pioneer of
seggae,
a unique combination of reggae and traditional
séga
beats, Kaya provided a voice for
disadvantaged Creoles across the country. His death in the custody of Indian police split Mauritian society along
racial lines, triggering four days of violent riots that left several people dead and brought the country to a stand-
still.
An autopsy cleared the police of wrongdoing, but the events forced the Indian-dominated government to ac-
knowledge
le malaise Créole
, Creoles' anger at their impoverished status in a country that has been dominated
by Indians since independence. It is an anger that still simmers almost 15 years after the singer's death.
In contrast to these violent scenes, Kaya's music is full of positive energy. The classic album
Seggae Experien-
ce
is a tribute to the singer's unique vision.
SINO-MAURITIANS
Mauritius' 30,000 Sino-Mauritians are involved mostly in commerce. Despite their small
numbers, the Chinese community plays a disproportionate role in the country's economy,
though they tend to avoid politics. Most came to the country as self-employed entrepren-
eurs and settled in the towns (particularly Port Louis), though most villages have at least
one Chinese store.
FRANCO-MAURITIANS & SOUTH AFRICAN EXPATS
Franco-Mauritians, the descendants of the
grands blancs
(rich whites), have their hands
on Mauritius' purse strings. Most of the sugar mills, banks and other big businesses are
still owned by Franco-Mauritians, who tend to screen themselves off from their former la-
bourers in palatial private residences in the hills around Curepipe, and own almost all the
luxurious holiday homes along the coast. Many others have decamped completely to live
in South Africa and France. In fact, there are now more South African expats living on the
island (congregated on the west coast) than there are Franco-Mauritians.
