On 1st of February 1835, slaves were legally recognised as human beings. Mauritius has been observing a duty of remembrance for a few years now. The idea is not only to pay tribute to slaves but also to allow every Mauritian to remember the pain and suffering caused by this dark period and use it as a starting-point to build his/her own identity.

The very fact that 1st February is a public holiday shows the desire of the authorities to honour the work done by slaves. But it could mean much more: by giving a holiday to all Mauritians, it prevents anyone from taking the ethnic aspect into consideration. Every single Mauritian should feel concerned by the abolition of slavery just as on 2nd November we all celebrate the arrival of indentured labourers on Mauritian soil.

To go further and give such celebrations a national dimension, ?schools should do special projects to make young people aware of historical issues and allow all citizens to stop thinking in terms of division,? recommends Sadasivam Reddi, a historian. The aim is to reach ?an objective awakening to historical issues while avoiding the trap of unique thinking,? adds Jocelyn Chan Low, another specialist in local history.

Successive governments have nevertheless made a few steps in the right direction concerning the duty of remembrance. The efforts made to put Le Morne on the Unesco list of National Heritage sites is certainly one. Its recent designation as such by the cabinet may make it easier to reach Unesco?s standards.

Le Morne is certainly the most meaningful site connected with the abolition of slavery. It is at Trou-Chenille (on Morne mountain) that newly freed slaves took refuge as from 1st February 1835. Last year, a monument was inaugurated there to give it the official status of a ?remembrance site?. But the Morne Heritage Trust Fund doesn?t intend to stop there. Its former chairman, Bernard Perrine, talked of ?building up the history of maroons?. Excavations and research are part of the programme. The trust also intends to start an educational circuit for tourists and students to make them aware of local history - of which slavery is an integral part.

The Slave Route, a project set up by Unesco ten years ago is aimed at making known the slave trade and slavery in the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea as well as its consequences for the populations concerned. In Mauritius, a national committee for the Slave Route project was set up last year to make sure the duty of remembrance is followed in Mauritius as it lies within the framework of a wider duty of remembrance linking Mauritius, Reunion and Madagascar.

From shame to pride

Likewise, the publication of books on the abolition of slavery during recent years shows that people are becoming more aware of their duty of remembrance. The most recent one entitled ?Noms de la honte, stigmates de l?esclavage à Maurice? by Alain Romaine, a Catholic priest wants to help people bearing a name that could be made fun of and originating from their ancestors? status as slaves. The author wants people who are ashamed of their names to become proud of them. ?The shame should be on the people who gave them those names.?

This is what we should all have in mind tomorrow. There has been immense suffering. By paying tribute to the memory of slaves and accepting our various origins, we Mauritians should become keener on building our own identity as sons and daughters of the Mauritian soil. This is what 1st February is all about?