Réunionnais of Indian origin

Réunionnais of Indian origin are people of Indian origin in Réunion. They form two ethnic groups on the island, Malbars and Zarabes.

Réunionnais of Indian origin
Total population
220,000[1]
Regions with significant populations
St André, St Denis, St Louis
Languages
French, English, Réunion Creole, Tamil, Hindi, Languages of India
Religion
Hinduism, Catholicism, Islam
Related ethnic groups
Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin, Malbars, Zarabes, Tamils, Desi, Indian diaspora in France

Origins

Originally brought in as indentured laborers as in Mauritius, they were mostly from South Indian Tamils.[2] The next largest group was from North Indian Hindus, speaking Hindi, Bhojpuri and Gujarati. The smallest group were Muslims (from North, South and West India). There were also later emigrants, mostly Hindu, traders and businessmen. In Réunion, Indians from South India, often Hindu, are known as Malbars and Muslim Indians from North India are known as Zarabes.

Today

Indo-Réunionnais people have affected the culture of Réunion, bringing Indian foods as well as plants and animals to the island. The Hindus here have mixed with other ethnies.

Malbars
Main article: Malbars

Originally brought in as indentured labourers as in Mauritius, they were mostly from South Indian Tamils and Telugus.[2] Tamils in Reunion are gradual awakening and desire to their ancestors' culture, and started studying their language and religions especially from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.[2] They also now wanted to translate their newly acquired civic and political rights into a gradual and increasing participation in local and other elections:

  • Mr Jean-Paul Virapoullé, Mayor of Saint-André (1972-2008 and since 2014), Deputy of the National Assembly (1986-1997), Senator (2001-2011) and First Vice President of the General Council of Reunion.
  • Mrs Nadia Ramassamy, Deputy of the National Assembly since 2017, previously Vice President of the General Council.
  • Mr Saminadin Axel Kichenin, Mayor of Sainte-Marie (1983-1990), Vice President of the General Council.
  • Mrs Denise Nillameyom, Deputy Mayor of Le Tampon.

Zarabes
Main article: Zarabes

Zarabes is the name given to the Muslim community of Réunion. The Muslims migrated to Réunion in mid-nineteenth century. Zarabes are mostly South Asian and specifically from the modern state Gujarat in India.

Demographic factors

Many are Christians and Hindus, including some who are nominally Christian but include Hindu practises.[3] There is a significant Muslim minority known as Zarabes. Others are Sikh, Baha'i or non-religious. Hare Krishna is also practised in Réunion. They speak Réunion Creole and French. There are a handful of schools where Indian languages such as Tamil may be studied as a third or fourth language.

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References
  1. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-08-21. Retrieved 2008-01-29.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-08-21. Retrieved 2008-01-29.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. Ghasarian, Christian (1997). "We Have the Best Gods! The Encounter Between Hinduism and Christianity in La Réunion". African and Asian Studies. 32 (3): 286–295. doi:10.1163/156852197X00079.
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