Activities commemorating the 190th anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery in the Republic of Mauritius may have brought additional insights into the contested knowledge of the history and memory of enslaved people. This article examines the nature of this ‘contested knowledge’ within the perspectives of the UNESCO cultural project ‘Routes of Enslaved Peoples’ which breaks the silence around the history around slavery.
State Commemoration
The State held the usual wreath laying ceremonies at different sites of memory namely Bassin des Esclaves, Marché aux Esclaves at Pamplemousses, Pointe Canon and Le Morne. The Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, highlighted at Le Morne the significance of honouring the Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery, emphasising the need to remember history, promote social justice, and strengthen national unity. A three-day international UNESCO conference around the theme “Resistance, Liberty, Heritage in the Western Indian Ocean” brought together scholars of the region to engage in critical talks about the enduring silences of the past and to showcase their findings on slavery and slave trade. In his keynote address, President Gokhool underscored the importance of raising awareness on the history of slavery and measure its impact and repercussions in today’s reality to promote inclusive societies that are fairer and more respectful of rights. An interesting feature was the wreath laying ceremony at the Frederik Hendrik historical site in Vieux Grand Port on 2nd February, followed by the unveiling of a plaque on Anna de Bengale as well as a stele of the enslaved people who set fire to the Dutch Fort of Frederik Hendrik on 18 June 1695. However, the non-state actors provide different perspectives, knowledge and generate counter-narratives to the State.
Non-State Actors
The Affirmative Action movement submitted a « Position Paper » (16th January 2025) to the Prime Minister. The movement informed the Prime Minister that on 13 January 2025, the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action met to discuss the draft United Nations declaration on the respect, protection and fulfilment of the human rights of people of African descent. The 2025 theme of the African Union – which will be officially launched by heads of State and Government during the 38th Summit on 15 February 2025 – is “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations”. The movement through its spokesperson barrister José Moirt calls for “a comprehensive human rights-based change to address the many issues that contribute to the continuation of modern slavery, such as poverty, illiteracy, racial discrimination, impunity, corruption, social isolation, and gender discrimination”. Its main request is the setting up of an Independent Reparation Commission (IRC) for “equitable partnerships and ongoing, active engagement between the colonial powers, the international community, and the needs and expectations of the grassroots”. 
The movement Platform Linite Natif Afriken held a press conference and argued that the Abolition of Slavery Day should not be 1st February but 1st April claiming that real emancipation was on that day. This platform comprises several groups which claim African roots. They call themselves ‘Natif Afriken’ (‘African Natives’). For its part, the Association Socioculturelle Rastafari had a pilgrimage from the village of Le Morne to the locality of Trou Chenille where it held a spiritual celebration with the theme ‘Rekonesans nou lidantite : Pou nou memwar pa efase” ( Recognition of our identity: for our memory not to be erased). At a press conference ASCR stated that Creoles still suffer from discrimination and requested the government to list an old prison dating back to French colonial period as national monument. It also made an appeal to the government to accelerate the full setting up of the Intercontinental Slavery Museum (ISM) and asked the latter not to be afraid to exhibit the instruments of torture. 
For its part, the catholic church held its 1st February mass at the parish of Ste Croix, a symbolic locality of the Mission des Noirs by French Holy Ghost missionary Father Laval in the post abolition period. Bishop Mgr Durhône announced the setting up of a Commission for Creole cause (Komision lakoz Kreol). He gave a historical overview of the different key stages and landmarks of the Creole struggle since 1993. This was the first mass celebrated by Bishop Mgr Durhône for 1st February commemoration. He was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Port Louis by Vatican in 2024. His sermon was much awaited by the different kreol consciousness movements.
Another well-known movement is Les Verts Fraternels. At its annual gathering of 1st February at Jardin de la Compagnie, its leader Sylvio Michel made a plea for compensation and explained that in case of payment of such a compensation, many Mauritians will benefit from and not only the Creoles. Another activity worth mentioning is a celebration by a group of inhabitants and grassroot movements of Pamplemousses. They proposed that our Constitution makes mention in its preamble of slavery as a fact of our history. Finally, the secondary school College du Saint Esprit Rivière Noire, located in the coastal region of Le Morne, held on 5th February an exhibition and a cultural show rendering the history and memory of the resistance of the maroons. The chief guest was Professor Clare Anderson who was one of the participants of the three-day UNESCO conference. The moving part of the ceremony was when the school choir sang ‘Stand up’ in the film ‘Harriet’ (2019).
From Contestation to Contested Knowledge
The contestation of knowledge is the questioning, challenging, or critical examination of established knowledge, beliefs, theories or claims. It seeks to explore alternative perspectives or interpretations. The new historians of the 70s in Mauritius have been pioneers in helping us understand the history of our country. Our knowledge of a subject matter is based on available evidence, interpretations and assumptions. As new information emerges, or alternative perspectives considered, the certainty of existing knowledge may be questioned. Michel-Rolphe Trouillot writes in ‘Silencing the Past, Power and the Production of History’ (1995) that “the production of historical narratives involves the uneven contribution of competing groups and individuals who have unequal access to the means for such production. ( p.xxiii).
In her thesis Mauritian Christina Wong says how identifying with maroon heritage has been a proud legacy for the marginalized Creole communities of Le Morne, empowering them to claim more political, cultural and social space. While her study acknowledges the contradictions and tensions in the construction of maroon heritage, it recognizes how maroon heritage can undermine ethno-nationalist impulses and offer a new basis for climate and land politics. In the same way Belgian academic Benjamin de Gols who studied the different cultural centres or bodies under the aegis of the Ministry of Arts and Cultural highlights how cultural heritage is not simply an artefact from the past. It represents and shapes the present by the meanings given to it, fitting history into how societies and people identify. In this context, the Intercontinental Slavery Museum (ISM) can bring meaningful knowledge to Mauritians.
New Insights, Fresh Trails
Following the recommendations of the Truth & Justice Commission (2011), ISM was set up in 2020 after a long process of public advocacy coupled by grassroot mobilization and academic research. The slavery museum forms part of the International Coalition Sites of Conscience and adopted a robust methodology: Public Consultation Process (PCP) in 2020-2021, Analysis and publication of findings (2022), Elaboration of the narratives (2022-2023), Selection of themes (2023-2024) and Scenography & Labelling (2024). Input from international experts within French cooperation has been adopted and adapted critically by the research team. Other countries (Japan, USA) have also brought in their contribution. Research protocol signed with the University of Toamasina and the intercultural project around Ratsitantanina will hopefully generate more knowledge. Nonetheless, knowledge is not created by experts only. It is co-created. Within the post-colonial perspective of museums, the ‘knower’ (person or group) is not a passive recipient of the ‘known’ (object of knowledge). There is constant negotiation between the ‘knower’ and the ‘known’ because knowledge in the field of cultural heritage is not fixed. The exhibition room ‘Correcting the record’ in the museum was co-created by researcher Gulia Bonacci and the Rastafari community.
In the same vein, the museum can examine critically the iconic figure of Ratsitantanina in the collective memory; what the rich legacy of the Froberville collection (busts and ethnographic field notes), discovered by researcher Klara Boyer-Rossol, can possibly bring as ethnographic information on the enslaved and after their emancipation. A new and most promising research area would be Anna de Bengale as a gendered figure of resistance. Last but not least, did the Maroons really leap to their deaths in mass suicide as the end of the film Ni chaînes ni maîtres shows or was it a massacre when French slave owners, and not English soldiers, ascended the mountain that day as given in some counter-narratives ? Indeed, new insights! fresh trails!
Dr Jimmy Harmon