1. Why the Creole Community in Mauritius Seeks Recognition
I put aside my personal differences and comment of these recent developments on National level. My opinion, difference and problems are well defined and impartial.
My personal opinion as a Hindu was that the term General Population was used it was because it was to avoid referring to this segment of the population as descendant from SLAVES, which was degrading. But unfortunately our brothers and sisters of Creole Community want to revert back as it was before and be called DESCENDANT of SLAVES of AFRICA. Its their choice and I respect their opinion.
The Creole community in Mauritius is largely descended from enslaved Africans brought to the island during the colonial period (17th to 19th centuries) under Dutch, French, and British rule. Despite being present for centuries, the community has historically faced social, economic, and political marginalization.
I agree they were the FIRST people of Mauritius since historically, the Dutch, French, British brought SLAVES from African countries to Mauritius and then LATER brought Indentured Labourers from Asia and later Sino Morisien and Arab Merchants came to Mauritius.
a. Historical Injustice
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Slavery and Dispossession: The ancestors of the Creole people were forcibly taken from Africa and used as slave labour. After abolition in 1835, little was done to redress the trauma or provide restitution.
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Lack of Land Ownership: Many Creoles were not given land or compensation, while Indian indentured labourers were sometimes granted land after their contracts ended.
b. Cultural Erasure and Identity
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Language & Religion: Creole culture (including sega music, cuisine, and Catholic religious practices) was long devalued or excluded from national cultural narratives.
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Under-representation: In politics, education, and employment, the Creole community remains underrepresented and often stereotyped or scapegoated.
c. Modern Disadvantage
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High levels of poverty, educational dropout, and unemployment plague many Creole-majority areas.
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Perceived state neglect fuels calls for official recognition as a distinct cultural and ethnic group with historical claims for justice.
d. Moral and Symbolic Recognition
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Similar to truth and reconciliation movements elsewhere, many Creoles advocate for formal acknowledgment of slavery, its ongoing effects, and a more inclusive national narrative.
2. Parallel: First Peoples of Australia
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia have fought for recognition as the first sovereign peoples of the land, with distinct cultures, languages, and laws that predate colonization.
a. Colonial Trauma
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British colonization in 1788 led to mass displacement, massacres, and policies like the Stolen Generations.
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Indigenous Australians were only counted in the national census after 1967, and have historically been excluded from political processes.
b. Constitutional Recognition
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There is currently no explicit recognition of First Peoples in Australia’s constitution.
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The 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart called for:
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A First Nations Voice to Parliament,
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Truth-telling about history,
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and a Makarrata Commission for agreement-making and reconciliation.
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c. The 2023 Referendum
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The Australian government held a referendum in 2023 to enshrine an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, but it was defeated—revealing continued divisions in national consciousness.
d. Land Rights and Culture
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Aboriginal Australians also demand land restitution and cultural protections, including recognition of customary law, sacred sites, and language revival.
3. Comparative Themes Between the Two
| Theme | Creole Community (Mauritius) | First Peoples (Australia) |
|---|---|---|
| Historical Injustice | Descendants of enslaved Africans | Colonization, dispossession |
| Cultural Erasure | Creole identity marginalized | Indigenous languages, customs suppressed |
| Socioeconomic Inequality | Disadvantaged in housing, education, jobs | Similar disparities in health, incarceration, education |
| Call for Recognition | Acknowledgment as a people shaped by slavery | Recognition as First Peoples with sovereign rights |
| Mechanism of Recognition | Political and cultural acknowledgment, social policy reform | Constitutional amendment, treaties, Voice to Parliament |
| Truth-telling & Healing | Memorialization of slavery; reconciliation | Truth-telling commissions; Uluru Statement |
4. Conclusion
The Creole community’s demand for recognition is rooted in the need for justice, dignity, and national inclusion, much like the struggles of the First Peoples of Australia. Both groups seek:
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Formal acknowledgment of their historical suffering,
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Protection and celebration of their cultural heritage, and
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Meaningful inclusion in national decision-making.
While their histories differ in form—enslavement vs. colonization—the enduring impact of systemic exclusion links their causes, and comparative analysis strengthens the argument for reparative justice and recognition globally.
References
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Eisenbruch, M. (2000). The Cultural Bereavement and Identity of the Creole People of Mauritius. Journal of Refugee Studies.
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Bunwaree, S. (2001). The marginalisation of the Creole community in Mauritius: Myths and realities. Intercultural Studies.
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Uluru Statement from the Heart (2017). https://ulurustatement.org/
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Maddison, S. (2019). The Colonial Fantasy: Why white Australia can’t solve Black problems. Allen & Unwin.
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Hall, S. (1996). Cultural Identity and Diaspora. In Identity: Community, Culture, Difference.
