Mauritius Edition
World Useful Pocket Day leads today's complete edition for Mauritius.
Daily Edition
Official observances, world days, local context, and everyday celebrations for people who need something worth reading, sharing, or talking about today.
A day for the tiny things people carry because life becomes easier when string, coins, notes, keys, or a tool are close at hand.
The day commemorates the emancipation of the slaves in the British Empire on August 1, 1833, which took effect in Mauritius on February 1, 1835. The ceremonies take place at Le Morne Brabant, the mountain where escaped slaves took refuge, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Le Morne is the symbol of the struggle for freedom. The day includes sega performances (the sega originated with the enslaved Africans), storytelling, and the preparation of traditional Creole food. The sega is a lament and a celebration, and the songs tell the stories of suffering and resilience.