Bhojpuri In Mauritius? Here’s How This Language Became Such An Essential Part Of The Country – News18

Last Updated:March 12, 2025, 14:58 IST

Bhojpuri is deeply rooted in Mauritius’ history and remains a key part of its cultural identity despite competition from English and French.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Mauritius. He arrived in the country on 11 March to grace the National Day celebrations as the chief guest. Upon his arrival, Modi was welcomed with a Geet-Gawai performance. Recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016, Geet-Gawai is a cherished and traditional Bhojpuri musical art form. This performance highlighted the deep-rooted cultural connection and Bhojpuri’s enduring presence in the East African island nation.

But you may be wondering, how did this language become such an essential part of Mauritius’ identity? Here’s why Bhojpuri is among the dominant languages of Mauritius and how it became a significant part of the country.

During the colonial era, many labourers migrated from the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to Mauritius between the mid-19th and early 20th centuries. Initially brought as indentured labourers to work on sugar plantations, these migrants were part of a larger wave of labour migration. Among them were predominantly Bhojpuri-speaking labourers, who profoundly shaped the demographic and cultural landscape of Mauritius.

According to a report by India Today, as many as 453,063 indentured labourers arrived from India in British Mauritius. Within a decade, Indian labourers made up a third of the island’s population, and by 1861, they accounted for two-thirds of all Mauritians.

Bhojpuri was officially recognised as a national language in Mauritius in 1987, alongside English, Creole, and French. In 2012, Bhojpuri was further recognised as an official language of the country, cementing its status in Mauritius. It is primarily spoken by the descendants of Indian immigrants who were brought to the island as indentured labourers.

While the language has a rich history and cultural heritage, one of the main challenges it faces is competition with other languages, particularly French and English. As the official languages, French and English are widely used in education, media, and government and are often seen as symbols of social prestige and upward mobility. This has led to a decline in the use of Bhojpuri among younger generations, particularly in urban areas.

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Beyond the language itself, the Bhojpuri-speaking community has preserved a wide array of traditional cultural practices, including forms of music, dance, clothing (such as traditional sarees and dhotis), and cuisine. Festivals and religious rituals, particularly Durga Puja and Diwali, play a central role in maintaining a sense of collective identity, enabling the Bhojpuri community to retain their cultural heritage while coexisting within Mauritian society.

In addition to Mauritius, Bhojpuri is spoken in several other countries, including India, Guyana, Trinidad, Suriname, Fiji, and Nepal.