The people of Mauritius are all set to celebrate Chinese new year also know as the Spring festival. The seven day celebration has several events that go along with it with the a lion dance parade set for Sunday to usher in the celebrations.

The festivities of the Chinese new year are set for the 5^thof February. It is the Year of the Pig according to the Chinese zodiac, which features a 12-year cycle with each year represented by a specific animal.

With the growing population of Chinese people in Africa it is natural to see them celebrate this special time in the Chinese calendar in pomp, style and circumstance in their adopted home countries. Due to indentured labourers after the abolition of slavery in 1835, many asians migrated to Mauritius and hence 3% of the population on the ‘paradise island’ are of Chinese descent.

The Chinese New Year is welcomed with fireworks, whose sound, together with the sound of drums and music, is meant to scare away the demon Nian. Delicious food is put on the table and chun lian ( good wishes for the new year in form of poems, usually on red paper) are pasted on the entrance doors.

Check out the décor set up for the season.

China Town in Mauritius sets up decorations for the Spring Festival