The Chagos Archipelago, in the Indian Ocean, is home to the Sega tambour Chagos, a form of music, song and dance. The local population was displaced from the archipelago in the late 1960s, leading to a decline in the practice and transmission of Sega tambour Chagos. Over time, younger generations of Chagossians gradually became less aware of the cultural significance of this heritage. To address this situation, two Tambour Chagos schools were created in Mauritius in 2022, where nearly 50 young students, aged 7 to 17, are taught how to dance and play Sega tambour Chagos.
What was the need?
Following its displacement in the late 1960s, the Chagossian community was settled in different parts of the world, particularly in mainland Mauritius. This posed many threats to the viability of Sega tambour Chagos, as its practice was rooted in the community’s experiences, daily life and social relations in their homeland. Aging bearers and diminished interest among younger generations born outside the archipelago contributed to the vulnerability of this living heritage. Furthermore, the precarious socio-economic situation of the Chagossian community further weakened their ability to sustain performances. By 2019, there was only one group consistently performing the Sega tambour Chagos. This led the authorities and local communities to prepare a safeguarding plan for the element and nominate it for inscription on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
‘I want Sega Chagos to be preserved and Chagossian culture to be promoted. Even though elderly Chagossians are passing away, our culture should endure and be transmitted to our children and future generations.’
Rosemond Saminaden, 81 years old, born in Salomon Island, Chagos Archipelago
‘I am happy that we are making a strong effort to ensure our tradition does not disappear. I will never let go of my culture, and I am already passing my cultural knowledge to youngsters.’
Late Mimose Furcy
What approaches were implemented?
To raise interest and encourage the practice of the element among the younger generation, different stakeholders in Mauritius pooled resources to establish two Sega tambour Chagos schools, one located in Pointe-aux-Sables and the other in Baie-du-Tombeau. Apart from increasing the number of practitioners, the schools are helping young people to better understand and appreciate the Chagossian heritage, strengthening community cohesion, and providing opportunities to improve their livelihoods through the practice of their heritage.
A multi-stakeholder approach has allowed the initiative to bear fruit: the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture funds the instructor’s fees (one instructor per school), the National Heritage Fund provides the traditional instruments (tambour, triyang and maravann) and traditional clothing, while the Chagossian Welfare Fund provides the venues (social centres) for weekly training. Both schools are managed by the Chagossian Welfare Fund.
‘Sega tambour Chagos’ was inscribed in 2019 on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
‘I am proud that people want Chagossian music to be represented at the UNESCO level so that it does not disappear. I am a child of the third generation (…) I live Chagos culture and tradition, even if I was born and brought up on Mauritius island. I am very happy to know that this culture is being promoted.’
Annick Mandarin, 29 years old
© National Heritage Fund, Mauritius, 2017
How did it work?
The initiative has encouraged elders and youths from the community to teach and practice Sega tambour Chagos. It has improved the conditions for transmission, through structured training in a dedicated space. Furthermore, the schools have attracted new members to join the practice: 45 youths (23 boys and 22 girls) aged between 7 and 17 years old have been trained. The initiative has also increased the visibility of this practice, raised awareness of its social values and cultural functions, and provided economic recognition for trainers. To further strengthen the safeguarding efforts, the National Heritage Fund is now organizing annually the event ‘Sware Tambour Chagos’ (Tambour Chagos evenings), providing a space for the students of the Tambour Chagos schools to perform.
How was the community involved?
The Chagossian community in Mauritius is very active in the safeguarding of their living heritage, and in particular of Sega tambour Chagos. The Chagossian Welfare Fund directly manages the two Tambour Chagos schools and plays a key role in facilitating communication and dialogue at the community level, to ensure their involvement in safeguarding measures. School trainers also come from the community.
Contactos para compartir experiencias
National Heritage Fund
4th Floor, Fon Sing Building, 12 Edith Cavell Street, Port Louis, Republic of Mauritius
Languages for contact: Mauritian Creole, French, and English
(+230) 2118134
registrynhf@gmail.com
Para saber más
- Video about this experience
Other links
- Sega tambour Chagos
- 2023 report by the State Party on the current status of the element: inglés
- Chagos Refugees Group