DIVALI

“It seems that Divali has become more of a national celebration than a family one. Of course, the religious aspect is very important - Divali is the victory of Ram (Good) over Rawan (Evil) - but I believe every Mauritian is now taking part in the celebration. Just have a look at the streets tonight; they will surely be crowded with people who go out to admire the beauty of the lights. Many non-Hindus also put lights on their houses. Lights are there to show that people are happy that we live in a peaceful world but it undeniably also has an aesthetic significance. In fact, most people now put electric lights on their houses because they may find it nicer than diyas but everyone will probably light one or two of these lamps because they are part of the traditions. But very often, at the time we want to light them, there is wind outside and they don’t last very long… We often say that the wind means that Goddess Lukshmee is getting into the houses to bring wealth. This is also one of the reasons why people prefer electric lights. At home, we have already put electric lights everywhere but we’ve kept some traditional diyas for tonight. We will spend the day sharing cakes with neighbours and friends and relatives will come and visit us. It is a day when everyone wears brand new clothes to mark the event.

EID-UL-FITR

“Eid is the day of joy and happiness. After the third part of the blessed month of Ramadan, marked by sustained efforts, Eid is the day when everyone is filled with immense feelings of unlimited joy and welfare. On that special day, we wake up very early, perform the morning prayer called ‘Fajr’, take a special bath, wear our best clothes, apply non-alcoholic perfume, eat odd numbers of anything sweet (generally dates) and then proceed to the mosque. For this special event, all people buy new clothes in a variety of colours and fabrics, carefully chosen to express joy and happiness. Special food is cooked, the most famous of which is the succulent traditional briani; but sweets and vermicelli are also made and shared with friends and neighbours. Eid is also a day of sharing in which we would like everybody to take part. The Zakaat and Sadqua-E-Fitr is a form of tax, which allows those who earn money to distribute some to the needy well beforehand to ensure that latter can also afford Eid happiness and live up these moments. The decoration of house and mosques, the mehendi that women put on their hands and feet on that day and the visits to elderly and sick relatives as well as to the cemetery are also events that make this day special. This year, however, the celebrations have another dimension with the natural calamity that has afflicted Pakistan, Kashmir and India. The efforts to collect funds to alleviate the suffering and the positive response of Mauritians are very comforting…

ALL SAINTS DAY

Unlike Divali and Eid-Ul-Fitr, the celebration of All Saints day is not as festive. It is a day when Catholics pay tribute to their Saints. In Mauritius, the real celebration is the All Souls’Day on 2nd November. On these two days, most Mauritian families drive around the island to pay tribute to their dead. Flower sellers are lined up in front of the cemeteries waiting for the many people who will come to put flowers on their relatives’ graves.