LITERESI BILENG AVANSE - boukie banane

IDENTITAG
The constitution recognises 4 ethnic groups, namely Hindus, Muslims, Chinese and General
Population. The first two 'identitags' are determined by religion (Hinduism and Islam); the third is
'race' determined (race is a highly controversial concept and in the Mauritian context skin colour and
facial features are privileged); the last group is made up of anyone who does not fall within the first
three groups - an ethnic 'ragbag'.
All these identitags cannot stand the test of rigorous and scrupulous investigation and scrutiny as so
convincingly and brilliantly illustrated by Michael Sik Yuen. Yet a majority of citizens of the Republic
feel that they reflect reality and any attempt to remove these pigeonholes could lead to a major
social, cultural and political crisis.
The Creoles of the Republic (creole is another polysemic word meaning a great variety of things from
an island with a specific history to a white/black person via a group of languages with a specific
history) are now requesting that the identitag General Population be replaced by Creole. I
sympathise with the legitimacy of this request but I am not sure that it will solve the problems of the
AfroCreoles of the Republic. Moreover I am certain that it will create new difficulties and generate
new frutrations. Indo-Mauritian Christians (be they Catholics, Protestants or members of various
Christian sects) refuse the identitag “Creole”. For this reason, in order to have a consensus, it would
be preferable to propose a fifth identitag for those who choose to join that group. And those who
feel that they don't belong to any of the four groups could still choose to be considered General
Population.
I recently wrote in an article (In search of an identity) that
“ I am a Mauritian of Telugu background who has undergone a rich voyage of discovery through
cultural miscegenation. I live at peace with myself and every morning and night I thank Jesus, my
God, for the opportunity I'm enjoying here in Mauritius, as a linguist and a poet. Incidently, that
could make me a member of what is known as General Population. An interesting thought!”
The more I think about it, the more I realise that I would be more comfortable to be in that slot. In
fact this is where I belong with all Mauritians who do not believe in God or who believe in an
Almighty God but cannot be at ease within any religious institution; with Mauritians who because of
their different sexual orientation are ostracised, marginalised, persecuted; with Mauritians who are
freethinkers; with Mauritians who choose to live with a loved one who belongs to another group;
with love children; with Mauritians who are rejected because they are sex workers; with all those
who courageously fight against prejudice and are forging new identities etc. etc. An ethnic ragbag?
Yes!
Maybe one day this group will become the most progressive and dynamic one and will help the
Republic chart the new course so much needed to survive. The Last Will Be First. Insha'Allah!
31.05.10
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