One of the other sides of the Special Mobile Force (SMF) apart from being of military purpose, is also their music band and performances. Those who are acquainted to the region of Vacoas must certainly have noticed and heard the frequent music repetition, specially in the afternoons, of the SMF at the other end of …
There is this Mauritian song which says that the ‘Rum is not good’ (Rhum la na pa bon mem), but still it can’t be helped to avoid its consumption. Trades of the time, the big notice written on this, most probably chinese, shop or ‘tavern’ saying that they are selling rum! “Here we sell rum” …
If there is one little and super economical transport that many Mauritians have used and some are still using is certainly the Honda PC50, much known as the ‘mini honda’. The Honda PC50 is a moped produced in Japan from May 1969 until February 1977. It is well known for being highly fuel efficient with …
Using animals as part of entertainment exist since the stand of time and this is something that might not change that soon, even though being discouraged little by little. During the early 1920s, there was this little street entertainment in Curepipe where the owner of the pet would train, dress in clothes and use his …
Life in the past wasn’t the same for everyone, nor it is today also. There has always been different levels in society and how things are. On one side we had those who lived more at ease and those who had to struggle to achieve. This is a truth we can’t hide but the good thing …
The history of Champ de Mars goes back since the times of Mahé de La Bourdonnais during which the french were still occupying the island, Isle de France, then. Mahé de La Bourdonnais chose this area as a training ground for field manoeuvres for his soldiers. The training exercises were performed each Sunday, and each …
The Port Louis Municipal Theatre is one of the oldest theatres and playhouses of the southern hemisphere. Talking about the history behind, Joseph Laglaine, health officer on board a french warship, was the first who thought of bringing a troupe to perform in Mauritius, at that time, Isle de France. The troupe landed in Port …
Found in Mahebourg, the Chateau de Robillard or Gheude Castle was the dwelling of the Robillard family since the colonies and has been later taken over by the Government and now converted into the Naval Museum of Mahebourg. Whilst writing about private family matters isn’t much our ‘theme’, this image shared by Marie-Helene Letellier Oliver …
Vacoas of the time looks to be a more animated town than the actual Vacoas. During the 1950s – 1980s, the town had 3 Cinemas, but now none. The METRO cinema in Vacoas was located right in the town centre (here) and was a very famous cinema of its time. During those years very few …
The Maiden is the most popular and important event on the turfist’s list. In Mauritius, the Maiden happens mostly in the month of September and during the event, thousands and thousands of horse-racing enthusiasts gather at the Champ de Mars in Port Louis. Be it for the game or as a family tradition, the Maiden …
After having moved around between the Company Garden (Jardin de la Compagnie) and the actual place of the Theatre for quite some time during the early colonial times, the Central Market finally settled in the where was previously the ‘Bassin des Chaloupes’ and its current location. The building we can see is standing since 1839. …
The Sugar Cane Harvest Season in Mauritius normally starts in June every year and ends up around December at most. In the past, the sugar canes were harvested manually, that is, manual workers would equip themselves with their sickle (serpe) and in groups would cut down the sugar canes covering area by area, and later …
One of the Mauritian Music Bands rocking the days of the late 1970s worth mentioning is certainly the STRENGTH band. Whilst many might not know of them they sure had a lot of fans (proof in the pictures)! The band was formed by a group of Royal College of Port Louis students and was quite …
Aloe Fibres have been used quite extensively in Mauritius during the past years for the creation of ‘Goni’ (Gooni) bags. Before the advent of polypropylene and plastic bags, goni was an indispensable element in the overall trade, not only in Mauritius, but throughout the world. It was used to pack and ship agricultural commodities such …
A now-rare village scene where these courageous hawkers or street vendors would overload themselves with the maximum items they could provide to their customers and would then roam the streets of their regions to earn their living. Back in the past, this was a common practice where in order to earn a decent living, these …
Mauritius has been cultivating tea since the french colonial times and even today tea is still being cultivated around various upper lands of the country. True to say that the number of Tea Factories have certainly declined but the plantations have remained. As most societies around the world, tea forms part of an important part …
Nearly completely disappeared, the ox-cart was once very much used in Mauritius for the transport of sugar cane from the fields to the factories during the cane harvest seasons. Whilst motorised vehicles wasn’t yet available, the few alternatives remained the ox-cart and the railways back in the days. Farmers raised oxes and the animals were …
The Black River Gorges, now National Park, is in the hilly south-western part of Mauritius. It was proclaimed on June 15, 1994 and is managed by the National Parks and Conservation Service. It covers an area of 67.54 km² including humid upland forest, drier lowland forest and marshy heathland. Facilities for visitors include two information centres, …
During the years 1950 – 1970s, whilst not many families had a television set, the Government had set up the mobile cinema to provide entertainment to the inhabitants. The structure was a mobile vehicle equipped with a projector and the display screen hanged outside, be it on a tree or a building wall etc. Shows …
In 1942, when Mauritius was a Crown colony, the government decided to build a small airport at Plaine Magnien near Mahébourg. The airport was used to import products from the United Kingdom and its colonies, as well as for exports. The airport was used as a military base for the Royal Air Force during World …