Since 2021, Our Heritage Foundation (OHF) has been developing a novel and innovative project entitled “Living the heritage of Vieux Grand Port”. The organization is responding to a call from the residents and council of Mauritius’ oldest village, which suffers from isolation. , despite its exceptional historical wealth.
Despite its small size, Vieux Grand Port (VGP) is home to a surprising number of remains, the oldest of which date back to the Dutch period, the first human settlement in Mauritius from 1598. This side of the island was known to Arab navigators before the Middle Ages, and was regularly visited in the 17e by the Portuguese, serving as a stopover port for travelers. Despite this cultural density, VGP remains landlocked and highly dependent on Mahébourg. OHF has uncovered the fortifications of the Batteries de la Reine, built in 1782 and used as a defensive post in 1939/45.
This archaeological initiative is now one of the stages in the trails and summer camps that the NGO offers to the public, through an integrated approach to heritage, including both old stones and local know-how, and involving local residents and businesses as much as possible. Experiencing VGP’s heritage is a human adventure… as the “summer camp” on April 15 and 16 will demonstrate, with exchanges with specialists, then local musicians, playing old-fashioned games or preparing fish the old-fashioned way!
Experiences and encounters
Under the leadership of Cheshta Hoolash, OHF members are committed to shedding light on the history of these places, in their respective specialties (history, archaeology, anthropology, museology, etc.), taking part in three-hour hikes or camps from which you’ll come away better informed… Outings are offered once a month to associations in the 3e age associations, as was recently the case with the seniors of Cité Vallijee and Tranquebar. Others are aimed at schoolchildren and college students, as well as families and tourists… In all, since December, almost 500 people have been able to discover VGP in depth. And the first “bal rann zariko” will be held in May…
The 3-hour tours start at Ferney Bridge, passing by the monument commemorating the arrival of the Dutch, as well as the one dedicated to the introduction of Batavia cane in 1639. The discovery of an aquaponic farm precedes a snack at the “gato dhol”, before climbing the Dutch Tower, visitinga basket-making workshop and the Fort Frederik Hendrick Museum. The walk continues with a look at the stained glass windows of the church and the oldest tombs in Mauritius at the Dutch cemetery, before ending at the famous batteries… Made by Madalsha Milnah, lunch is served on the landing beach, in the company of fishermen and Mr. Pope, the last local shipwright!
