Mauritian Hinduism and Globalisation: Transformation and Reinvention

223 Pages·2022·32.776 MB·English

by  Suzanne Chazan-Gillig, Pavitranand Ramhota

“This book deals with a complex subject, that of popular Hinduism in
Mauritius, whose anthropological interest is undeniable, as also economic,
geographical and political. Throughout the pages, the authors gradually
bring us, from the inside, with details and meticulousness, into the world
of Mauritian Hinduism. In addition to its contribution to the constitution
of the Mauritian heritage, through its many valuable ethnographic
descriptions, this research poses an additional milestone in the understanding
of the dynamics of popular Hinduism cults in Mauritius. It contributes not
only to the knowledge of contemporary Hinduism but also to that of the
practices developed by its followers and the types of relationships that they
maintain not only with their deities but also with their fellows. Combining
history, religion, politics and economics, the investigations carried out
here will prove to be invaluable in the future. I highly recommend it to
the public interested in understanding Hinduism outside India, Mauritius
(its history and its local dynamics) and Creole societies in general.”
Christian Ghasarian, Professor of Ethnology,
University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland
“A brilliant and intricate ethnography that captures the intersections
between religion, language, ethnicity and other sociabilities that crisscross
the trajectory of the global economic and financial networks. The book
vividly presents the role of various religious cults that participated and
facilitated the growth of the Mauritian plantation economy and its polity.
The postcolonial historiography captures the minute cultural details of
the continuity from one part of the subcontinent to the Island state. The
fascinating history of the ‘Kalmais’ to sugarcane plantation to the genesis of
cooperative structures and market economy, all in a lucid and enthralling
way. A must read for all scholars of social sciences and humanities.”
Vishal G. Jadhav, Associate Professor of Sociology,
Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune, India

MAURITIAN HINDUISM AND
GLOBALISATION
This book presents an original and comprehensive overview of the transformation
of Mauritian Hinduism against the backdrop of globalisation. It discusses
themes such as the cult of Baharia Puja; the cult of “Camp De Masque”;
changes in popular cults; temples and associative strategies of social integration;
emergence of Hanuman; ritual innovations in politics and, religious and political
transformation due to globalisation to highlight the link between the reinvention
of Hinduism and Mauritian capitalism.
The first of its kind, this book with its rich ethnographic accounts, will
be an essential read for scholars and researchers of religion, Hinduism, social
anthropology, sociology, cultural studies, diaspora studies, sociology of religion
and African studies.
Suzanne Chazan-Gillig is an anthropologist and was formerly a senior
researcher and consultant at Institute Research and Development (IRD), France.
She earned a doctorate in anthropology from the University of Paris V. She
has written several books in French and has carried out extensive fieldwork
in Madagascar. Her book on Sakalava Society in Madagascar was published in
1991. She has extensively published her research papers in refereed journals in
both English and French. She has also conducted empirical research in Mauritius
on the topic of migrations, exchange and industrialisation in the context of
globalisation on markets. Since 2002 she has been studying the social changes on
the west coast of Madagascar.
Pavitranand Ramhota is Associate Professor and Head of Department of
Diaspora and Transnational Studies at the Rabindranath Tagore Institute, Mauritius.
He has been UNICEF Consultant on “Women and Children in Mauritius” and
UNESCO Consultant on the cultural heritage of Indian immigrants in Mauritius.
He obtained a PhD in social anthropology with distinction from the Institut
National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales (Inalco), Paris. He has contributed
several articles in refereed journals, and has organised many international seminars
and conferences. He is currently working on Indian migration in the occidental
Indian Ocean with a perspective of comparative forms of Hinduism and the world
of capitalism.

MAURITIAN HINDUISM
AND GLOBALISATION
Transformation and Reinvention
Suzanne Chazan-Gillig and
Pavitranand Ramhota
TRANSLATED BY SRINIKET KUMAR MISHRA
Cover image: Goddess Kali at Poste De Flacq Temple, Mauritius.
Photograph by Pavitranand Ramhota.
First published 2023
by Routledge
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© 2023 Suzanne Chazan-Gillig and Pavitranand Ramhota
The right of Suzanne Chazan-Gillig and Pavitranand Ramhota to
be identified as authors of this work has been asserted in accordance
with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act
1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
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First published in French by Éditions Karthala-IRD 2009
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog record has been requested for this book
ISBN: 978-1-032-20660-8 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-032-28705-8 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-29813-7 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003298137
Typeset in Bembo
by Deanta Global Publishing Services, Chennai, India
Suzanne Chazan dedicates this book
In memory of her eldest daughter, Valérie
To Jean-Bernard, Pierre, Valérie and Anne-Laure
Augustin, Maximilian, Yann and Maïwenn.
Pavitranand Ramhota dedicates this book
In memory of his wife, Ameeta and his father Hatmanan
To his mother, Gowmattee
To his daughter, Grushenka and son, Pranav

CONTENTS
List of Illustrations x
Preface xiv
Acknowledgements xviii
Introduction 1
1 The cult of Baharia Puja in Camp de Masque Pavé at the
kalimai of Petite Cabanne 7
2 The Amourou Puja cult of Camp de Masque 28
3 The transformation of popular cults on crown lands 53
4 Kalimai temples and community strategies: The emergence
of Hanuman 89
5 The New Deal: Religious and political transformation 117
6 Kalimai temple transformations and changes in rituals 152
Conclusion 178
Glossary 185
Bibliography 188
Index 196