Thursday 27 April 2017

Thursday, April 20th, 2017

Flacq, Mauritius

Sad Story

Mauritius has a sad history with slavery, like most places on earth.  At one peninsula’s end of the island is a towering mountain of 560 metres with lush vegetation.  It was fairly inaccessible.  Slaves from Africa, brought in by the Dutch and French had contemptible treatment inflicted upon them causing many to flee to the forest as well as the mountain.  Caves also provided refuge.

In February of 1835, the British rulers abolished slavery and a delegation was sent which made its way to where the slaves were hiding at Le Morne, the towering mountain, to announce the end of slavery.  Unfortunately, from high up on the mountain’s peak, the soldiers sent were perceived as slave catchers and many former slaves decided to take their own lives by jumping from the cliffs.  They preferred death over the chains of captivity.

Sad, isn’t it?  It’s tragic.

The landscape of Le Morne and surrounding area on the south-west side of Mauritius has its own beauty, but some of the history of the place lacks beauty as you can see.  The number of suicides at that time, less than two centuries ago, is not determined, to my knowledge.  Even the loss of one soul intimidated by brutality under slavery is bad enough in itself.

There are many forms of slavery still existing in the world, but do consider that when you cave-in to your senses all the time, you, too, are a slave.

May the Source be with you!


4 km

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