Their colourful and passionate rhythms, like the sensual dances with which they are inextricably linked, come directly from tradition, revealing the rich and mixed history of Mauritius.
Bringing a little warmth to Montreal winters – it’s hard to say no! This is what gave rise in 1984 to Les Mauricanas, a troupe of Mauricians who wished to raise awareness about their island, their culture and, above all, séga, the music of their ancestors.
With Gaëtan Herbus heading the project, the troupe offered shows featuring music and dance. And the melodies, with their fiery beat, with words of sadness and joy, and also of love, caught on in a big way. In 1990, they recorded their first album, titled Les Mauricanas. Six years later, their second opus, Dialsa Mauricien, came out.
Starting in 2002, a new era began for the group. The older members passed the torch to the younger ones. Angelito Herbus took over from his father, and the group changed names, becoming Génération Mauricana. The new members decided to continue the venture and to keep promoting their passion for séga, livening it with a touch of soca, a Trinidadian musical style. The blend of the two genres bears the gentle name “soga”.
A total of seven dancers and eight musicians and singers are part of this second venture. And their bet has come through. Their concerts are taking off. They play at international Creole festivals in Montreal, at the Festival Nuits d'Afrique, at Quebec City’s Festival Tumbuktu, at Saguenay’s Rythmes du monde, at Sherbrooke’s Festival des traditions du monde, and elsewhere. They also give many shows at venues in Montreal and across Quebec. In 2005, they brought out the album Passion Séga. Two years later, they won the Syli d’Argent, in a competition held by the Festival Nuits d’Afrique.
Séga
Séga, a traditional musical style in Mauritius, took root in the late 18th century when the French brought slaves from Africa and surroundings to the island. Séga became the symbol of togetherness that slaves, chained by their ankles, would sing and dance lasciviously to the beat of makeshift instruments assembled with available resources: skins, wood, pebbles and dried peas. The ravane, made from a goat skin stretch over a wooden bow with little cymbals, became the leading instrument of Mauritian séga.
Learn more about Generation Mauricana at
http://www.generationmauricana.com/
Learn more about Nuits D'Afrique at
festivalnuitsdafrique.com
Photos by
HeatherLWeimer.Com
