Tamil Seychellois

Tamil-Seychellois

A Tamil Hindu Temple in Victoria the capital city of Seychelles
Total population
(c. 4,000[1])
Regions with significant populations
Mahé, Seychelles
Religion
Hinduism, Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Tamil people, Tamil Mauritians, Malbars, Tamil diaspora

Tamil-Seychellois are people of Tamil ethnic origins living in the island nation of Seychelles. Their population is roughly estimated to 4000, making them one of the island's significant minorities.

History

Tamil immigrants arrived in Seychelles as early as 1770, and the Tamils were among the first settlers to the originally sparsely inhabited island nation. Traders from the French colony of Pondicherry and later traders from present day Tamil Nadu, visited the islands for trade in Timber and later a trading community was in place and many of the Tamils got integrated with the local population.[1]

In 1901, there were roughly 3500 were Tamil-speakers out of the country's population of 19,237.

Language, Religion and Culture

The Tamils constitutes the majority of the Indo-Seychellois who form 6% of the total population. Overall it is believed that over 10% of the population of Seychelles has some Indian roots.

Hinduism continues to thrive as an important religion among the Tamil-Seychellois, according to the 2001 census there were 1,600 Hindus in the country.

The Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam was founded in 1984.[2] The annual Kavadi festival is a major event which is a government holiday for all Hindus. Cultural troupes are invited from time to time to enhance cultural values and links. The organization of the Seychelles Hindu Council, celebration of Deepavali festival on a national scale and the setting up of a crematorium with government support are events worthy of note.[3] There is also a Hindu Council of Seychelles established and maintained by the community.

The Arulmigu Navasakti Vinayagar Temple in Victoria, the first and the only Hindu temple in Seychelles, has Lord Ganesha as the presiding deity. Apart from the presiding deity, icons of Murugan, Nadarajah, Durga, Sreenivasa Perumal, Bairava and Chandekeswarar are enshrined in the inner mandapam of the temple. Prayers are performed for the different deities on special occasions.

Tamil classes are conducted by the Tamil Cultural Development Centre with the assistance of the Indian High Commission and the Seychelles Tamil Manram which publishes the newsletter 'Tamil Murasu'. Active participation in Tamil classes, debates, dramas and other cultural events including Tamil publications has increased over the years.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "murukan.org". Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  2. ↑ "Indian Diaspora Africa" (PDF). Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  3. ↑ "murukan.org". Retrieved 9 September 2013.
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