Indo-Seychellois

Indo-Seychellois
Total population
2,000
Regions with significant populations
Mahé
Languages

English, French, Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati

Religion

Hinduism, Islam, Christianity

Related ethnic groups

Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin, Desi

Indo-Seychellois are people of Indian Origin who live in the Seychelles.

Contents

Origins

They were brought in as indentured labourers.[1] The majority were Hindus from North India; Tamil and Telugus from South India and Muslims (of all Indian origins) form the remainder of the population.

Demographic Factors

Indians represent a small minority, at just over 6% of the total population[2]

The majority are Hindu, Muslim, Bahá'í, Sikh, Christian, and non-religious minorities exist. There are a few Mosques and Temples on Mahé. Most speak Creole, French and English. Hindi, Urdu, Bhojpuri, and Tamil are also spoken by minorities, mostly older generations.

Impact

The Indo-Seychellois have had a noticeable impact on the Seychelles: "Overall, it is believed that more than 10% of the population of Seychelles has some Indian roots. Many local shops cater to the needs of the Diaspora by stocking Indian consumer items. The community has established a Hindu temple that is run by the Hindu Kovil Sangam. There is also here an Indo-Seychelles Friendship Association and a Hindu Council of Seychelles".[3]

References

  1. ^ Mahoune, Jean-Claude Pascal. "Seychellois of Asian Origin". IIAS Newsletter Online. http://iias.nl/iiasn/20/regions/20ISA1.html. "After the abolition of slavery in 1835, the French landowners were clamouring for Indian ('coolies') labour to work on their plantations though they had many 'liberated Africans' in the 1860s. When the 'coolies' did come, they were to mostly set to work on road construction. Unlike Mauritius most of them left." 
  2. ^ Report of the High Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora. Chapter 8: Other Countries of Africa, p. 94, http://indiandiaspora.nic.in/diasporapdf/chapter8.pdf 
  3. ^ Report of the High Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora. Chapter 8: Other Countries of Africa, p. 108, http://indiandiaspora.nic.in/diasporapdf/chapter8.pdf 

See also