Sounds of the World - Mauritius

Overview

On the island of Mauritius, which belongs to Africa, musician and globetrotter Sîla meets three generations of musicians who recount the island's musical and political history with lots of music. The colonial power France once brought slaves from Madagascar and the African mainland to the island, where they had to toil on the sugar cane plantations. The slaves developed a musical style of freedom with homemade instruments – Séga. Today, this music is considered the "blues of the Indian Ocean." Different, very rhythmic styles have developed. The performers of "Séga engazé" and "Seggae" – a reggae sound – are representatives of a revolutionary music that raises its voice against oppression, racism, and violence against women. The musicians believe in the power of music as a mouthpiece for a rather voiceless island society and in its unifying element across all religious and ethnic differences.