Introduction / History

Mauritius is an island nation off the coast of southeastern Africa. It is multi-cultural, largely because of years of French rule. The African population mixes with peoples from South Asia, Europe, and China. Most of the Chinese in Mauritania speak Mandarin.

The first Chinese came to Mauritius from Sumatra as kidnap victims. It was human trafficking. That was in the 1740s. Forty years later some came voluntarily to work as blacksmiths, carpenters, cobblers, and tailors in Mauritius. Others came in the 1800s, and there was soon a Chinatown in Mauritius. Many of these worked on sugar plantations. By the 1860s, there were Chinese who were running shops and businesses.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Chinese have a strong work ethic, and they work long, hard hours in their new environment. Their work ethic is different from the local people who live a slower pace of life.

Today, they are usually in the business sector. Commonly they own shops or Chinese restaurants, which are popular in Mauritius.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most of the Chinese in Mauritius are secular in their mindset, though some worship their ancestors and look to them for their needs to be met.

What Are Their Needs?

There are clear barriers of language and culture between the Chinese and the local population.

Prayer Items

Pray that the secularized Chinese will have the chance to hear and respond to the gospel in the more religiously tolerant Mauritius.
Pray that Angolan evangelicals will use the many available Christian media resources to witness to the Chinese visitors.

Scripture Prayers for the Chinese, general in Mauritius.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauritians_of_Chinese_origin