Mauritians enjoy Christmas celebrations in a lively tropical summery atmosphere under a usually scorching sun with 26 to 32ºC and even above at times. Yet, this does not stop Santa Claus from popping in with loads of presents for both the young and the old. He certainly brings along enough snow to keep him cool and hydrated during his long trip to the tropics!
Christmas Spirit in Mauritius
During this period of the year, the splendid flame trees are in bloom with their bright red fiery flowers. While roaming around the island, you will come across Tropical fruits of all sizes, colors, shapes and distinct flavours like mangoes; pineapples; litchis(Lychee); Longan (Dragon Eye Fruit); and watermelons abound. Shopping centers are livelier with Christmas decorations, animations, and shows attracting crowds during the day and late-night shopping.
Every street corner is invaded by hawkers selling Christmas cards, toys, balloons, firecrackers, gifts, clothes, and a wide assortment of household items. The noise, heat, crowded streets, and traffic jams can be almost unbearable in busy towns. Being the holiday season for schools this remains the most exciting time of the year for kids and teens.
Christmas Holidays in Mauritius
Tourist season is at its peak in December and most of the hotels hit a 90 to 100% room occupancy rate. While many workers are on holidays, many others are not allowed holidays as Christmas time in Mauritius, just like in many countries around the world, remains the most commercially profitable period of the year. Hotels in Mauritius make special offers during this period of the year for those wanting to spend Christmas extravagantly or in the sun or for those who want to experience Christmas in a very simple way while tasting Mauritius’ delicious cuisine and enjoying the beauty of Christmas on this tropical paradise.
Christmas Eve in Mauritius
On Christmas Eve, most people set up and decorate their Christmas trees which vary from natural pine and spruce trees to artificial ones. The house, especially the living room is also decorated. Christmas carols are mainly heard on radio/television and in shopping centres but most Mauritians do not play Christmas carols at home.
Christmas Eve is celebrated in various ways in Mauritius’ multi-ethnic society. While most would rather enjoy the Christmas frenzy in the remarkably crowded and highly animated nightlife in towns, Catholics would be attending the mass and other families would be having a normal evening with a typical Mauritian Xmas dinner- usually BBQ or some special dishes!
Western traditional dishes like the stuffed turkey or Christmas pudding are slowly entering the Mauritian culture. Christmas cakes like the Bûche de Noël remain a very demanded and consumed commodity just like wine, scotch whisky, rum, and champagnes. As usual, the night of December 24 in the Mauritian families is all about gifts and many also blow fireworks at midnight.
Traditionally, Christmas gifts are offered to kids and young people and are placed under the warmly decorated Xmas Tree. Gifts are opened in the morning on Christmas day and most kids believe in Father Christmas. Christmas day is a public holiday marked by family gatherings at home or at the beach. Dishes normally depend on religions, cultures, and tastes.
Following the annual traditions, gatherings take place at grandparents’ place, many also spend the day at the beach or stay at their beach house or rent one for the festive season. Beach houses are usually fully booked during this period and very often so for several years in advance. Since New Year’s Day and January 2nd are public holidays in Mauritius, the gatherings and celebrations last for around a week.
Christmas in Mauritius coincides with peak summer and therefore is a far cry from the cold European Christmases you might be familiar with. Wearing shorts or bikinis on Christmas day might be weird to you but it is certainly the norm in Mauritius. Many businesses in the hospitality industry are open as normal on Christmas day so finding somewhere to eat, drink and be merry is not an issue.
Christmas Day in Mauritius
Christmas is a popular holiday season in Mauritius, where diverse cultures and religions have a long history and freedom of religion is protected by law. Each year, Christmas Day is celebrated with a public holiday on 25 December. Children eagerly wait for Christmas morning; to be themselves surprised by all the gifts prepared for them by their dear Santa Claus, as a reward to them for their sweet and good behaviour during the whole year. Searching for the gifts at the foot of the Pine tree and unboxing and distributing gifts among siblings has undoubtedly always been amusing and amazing.
As for the adults, they take pleasure in seeing the beautiful smiles on the faces of their children. Then, Christmas morning is celebrated with a healthy, enriching, and wholesome breakfast. A morning feast!
During the day, families do gather at the church for a small talk with God and relishing the perfect joy of meeting other families and wishing them a Merry Xmas. Later, some also meet up at their relatives' to celebrate the evening with a special dinner- some music, champagne, cakes, a great meal, after-dinner dance and more. Christmas is not only about kids or even, not only about only receiving gifts and ensuring our happiness but more about distributing gifts, sweet wishes to others and spreading a happy and cozy vibe!
Christmas and Covid in Mauritius
As we all know that since last year, there has been a Covid outbreak in the entire world including our small island. Things have changed since then, the everyday life routine as well is not the same. Wearing masks is compulsory in public. This year significant changes will be brought onto the celebration of Christmas in Mauritius.
First, there will be fewer people to celebrate as many lost their near and dear ones due to this deadly virus, others may be still suffering from it at home or in hospitals.
Second, many people have lost their jobs as many enterprises and companies have been closed down therefore many people are not financially stable. Third, many new deadly variants have reached Mauritius; on that note, authorities recommended people to stay home and not to go out if unnecessary. And even the Covid cases are getting higher and higher day by day, many are scared and remain at home. At last, our country itself is in a lament as a sign of respect to all the citizens who lost their lives because of the virus.
Nevertheless, Christmas will still be celebrated and enjoyed by the Mauritians indoors, protecting the Christmas tradition and their lives obviously.
And to you reading this, Merry Christmas ☺!!!
Writers; Bocus Muhammad Sufyaan
Editors: Urvi Elliah, Khisha Callicharrun