Noteworthy Names: The Top 10 Chagossians People You Should Know
The Chagossians are an ethnic group native to the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. In the early 1970s, the British government forcefully removed the Chagossians from their homeland to make way for a military base, leading to their displacement. Despite this tragic history, Chagossians have made significant contributions to various fields, including sports, arts, and activism. Here is a list of 10 prominent celebrities and notable people from Chagossians ethnicity:
- Olivier Bancoult: As the leader of the Chagos Refugees Group, Bancoult has been at the forefront of the fight for justice and return of the Chagossian people to their homeland.
- Shenaz Patel: Patel is a renowned Mauritian author of Chagossian descent. Her novels and poetry explore themes of identity and exile, often drawing inspiration from the Chagossian experience.
- Ezra Fitch: Fitch was an American businessman and co-founder of the Abercrombie & Fitch Company. He was of Chagossian descent through his paternal grandfather.
- Nicolas Boullenger: Boullenger is a French footballer who played as a defender. He represented his country at the international level and had a successful career in various clubs.
- Patrick Bonifacious: Bonifacious is a Seychellois footballer who has played as a forward for both club and country. He has made significant contributions to Seychelles’ football history.
- Val O’Brien: O’Brien is an artist of Chagossian and Seychellois heritage who specializes in sculpting. His works often depict the rich cultural heritage and biodiversity of the Chagos Archipelago.
- Stellio Zouber: Zouber is a French politician of Chagossian descent. He has served as a deputy mayor and councilor in the city of Saint-Denis in Réunion, a French overseas territory.
- Rachael Cox: Cox is an Australian football player of Chagossian descent. She has represented several clubs in the Australian W-League and has also played for the Australian national team.
- Sam Cox: Sam Cox is an English-born footballer of Chagossian descent. He has had a successful career in various English football leagues, playing as a midfielder.
- Vincent Neri: Neri is a French politician of Chagossian and Réunionnais descent. He has served as a member of the French National Assembly, representing Reunion Island’s second constituency.
![Mauritius ( mər-ISH-(ee-)əs, mor-; French: Maurice [mɔʁis, moʁis] ; Mauritian Creole: Moris [moʁis]), officially the Republic of Mauritius (French: République de Maurice; Mauritian Creole: Repiblik Moris), is an island country in the Indian Ocean, about 2,000 kilometres (1,100 nautical miles) off the southeastern coast of East Africa, east of Madagascar. It includes the main island (also called Mauritius), as well as Rodrigues, Agaléga, and St. Brandon. The islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues, along with nearby Réunion (a French overseas department), are part of the Mascarene Islands. The main island of Mauritius, where population is concentrated, hosts the capital and largest city, Port Louis. The country spans 2,040 square kilometres (790 sq mi) and has an exclusive economic zone covering 2,300,000 square kilometres (670,000 square nautical miles).It is believed Arab sailors first discovered the uninhabited island, around 975, naming it Dina Arobi. In 1507, Portuguese sailors visited the uninhabited island with the island appearing with the Portuguese names Cirne or Do-Cerne on early Portuguese maps. A Dutch fleet, under the command of Admiral Van Warwyck, landed at what is now the Grand Port District and took possession of the island in 1598, renaming the uninhabited islands after Maurice, Prince of Orange. A succession of short-lived Dutch attempts at permanent settlement took place over a century with the aim of exploiting the local ebony forests, establishing a consistent sugar and arrack production using cane plant cuttings imported from Java along with over three hundred Malagasy slaves, before abandoning their efforts. France took control in 1715, renaming the island "Isle de France". In 1810, the United Kingdom seized the island, and four years later, under the Treaty of Paris, France ceded Mauritius and its dependencies to the United Kingdom. The British colony of Mauritius included Rodrigues, Agaléga, St. Brandon, the Chagos Archipelago, and until 1906 the Seychelles. Mauritius and France dispute sovereignty over the island of Tromelin as the treaty failed to mention it specifically. Mauritius became the British Empire's main sugar-producing colony and remained a primarily sugar-dominated plantation-based colony until independence, in 1968.In 1965, the UK split off the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritian territory to create the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). The local population was forcibly expelled and the largest island, Diego Garcia, was leased to the United States. Ruling on the sovereignty dispute between Mauritius and the UK, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea has ordered the return of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.Owing to its geographic location and centuries of colonialism, the people of Mauritius are highly diverse in ethnicity, culture, language and faith. It is the only country in Africa where Hinduism is the most practised religion. Indo-Mauritians make up the bulk of the population with significant Creole, Sino-Mauritian and Franco-Mauritian minorities. The island's government is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system and Mauritius is highly ranked for economic and political freedom being the only African country with full democracy. Mauritius is also the continent's only country with very high Human Development Index and the World Bank, classifies it as a high-income economy. It ranks highly among the most competitive and most developed economies in the African region. The country is a welfare state. The government provides free universal healthcare, free education up through the tertiary level and free public transportation for students, senior citizens, and the disabled. Mauritius is consistently ranked as the most peaceful African country.Along with the other Mascarene Islands, Mauritius is known for its biodiverse flora and fauna with many species endemic to the country. The main island was the only known home of the dodo, which, along with several other avian species, became extinct soon after human settlement. Other endemic animals, such as the echo parakeet, the Mauritius kestrel and the pink pigeon, have survived and are subject to intensive and successful conservation efforts.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/Flag_of_Mauritius.svg)
Most Famous Chagossians People
Chagossians’s Three Pinnacle Historical Inheritances
The Chagossians community, also known as the Ilois or Chagos Islanders, is a group of people primarily hailing from the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. This community has a rich and fascinating heritage, shaped by historical events and cultural traditions. Let’s explore three of the most well-known historical inheritances associated with the Chagossians heritage.
1. Forced Displacement:
- The Chagossians were forcibly displaced from their homeland by the British government between 1968 and 1973.
- The Chagos Islands were originally part of the British colony of Mauritius, but in 1965, the United Kingdom separated the Chagos Islands from Mauritius to create the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
- The British government then began evicting the Chagossians from their homes, forcibly relocating them to Mauritius and Seychelles.
2. Cultural Resilience:
- Despite the forced displacement, the Chagossians have managed to preserve their unique cultural heritage.
- One of the most significant aspects of their cultural resilience is their music, particularly the séga music, which is an integral part of their identity.
- Chagossian séga music combines elements of African, Indian, and Caribbean music, creating a vibrant and distinctive sound.
3. Legal Battles for Repatriation:
- Since their displacement, the Chagossians have been engaged in a series of legal battles to gain the right to return to their homeland.
- In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled that the UK’s separation of the Chagos Islands from Mauritius was unlawful and called for the return of the islands to Mauritius.
- However, the Chagossians’ fight for repatriation continues, as they hope to return to their ancestral lands and rebuild their communities.
The Chagossians community’s historical inheritances are a testament to their resilience and determination. Despite the challenges they have faced, they have managed to maintain their cultural traditions and fight for their right to return home. By recognizing and appreciating their heritage, we can contribute to preserving the Chagossians’ story and advocating for justice on their behalf.
Ethnic Factsheet: The Chagossians People
| Ethnicity | Demographics | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Chagossians | Approximately 7,000 individuals | Mainly in Mauritius, Seychelles, and the United Kingdom |
![The Chagossians (also Îlois [il.wa] or Chagos Islanders) are an African ethnic group originating from French slaves brought to the Chagos Islands, specifically Diego Garcia, Peros Banhos, and the Salomon island chain, in the late 18th century. Under international law, they are the indigenous people of the Chagos archipelago. Most Chagossians now live in Mauritius and the United Kingdom after being forcibly removed by the British government in the late 1960s and early 1970s so that Diego Garcia, the island where most Chagossians lived, could serve as the location for a United States military base. Today, no Chagossians are allowed to live on the island of Diego Garcia or anywhere in the Chagos archipelago, despite many of the islands they used to inhabit being over 100 miles away from Diego Garcia.
The Chagossian people's ancestry is mostly African, particularly from Madagascar, Mozambique and other African nations including Mauritius. There is also a significant proportion of Indian and Malay ancestry. The French brought some to the Chagos Islands as slaves from Mauritius in 1786. Others arrived as fishermen, farmers, and coconut plantation workers during the 19th century.
The Chagossians speak Chagossian Creole, a French-based creole language whose vocabulary also incorporates words originating in various African and Asian languages and is part of the Bourbonnais Creole family. Chagossian Creole is still spoken by some of their descendants in Mauritius and the Seychelles. Chagossian people living in the UK speak English. Some settled in the town of Crawley in West Sussex, and the Chagossian community there numbered approximately 3,000 in 2016. Manchester also has a Chagossian community, which has included artist Audrey Albert.In 2016, the British government rejected the right of the Chagossians to return to the islands after a 45-year legal dispute. In 2019, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion stating that the United Kingdom did not have sovereignty over the Chagos Islands and that the administration of the archipelago should be handed over "as rapidly as possible" to Mauritius.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Flag_of_CSSC.svg)
The Ancient Heritage of Chagossians Ethnic Groups
Chagossians Ethnicity: References and Resources
There are several references and resources available for those interested in learning more about the Chagossians ethnic group and their history. These materials provide insights into their culture, displacement, and ongoing struggles for justice and recognition. Some key references and resources include:
- “Stealing a Nation” Documentary: This powerful documentary by John Pilger delves into the story of the Chagossians and the forced expulsion from their homeland by the British government. It explores the impact on their lives and the ongoing fight for justice.
- “The Chagos Islanders and International Law” by Stephen Allen: This book offers a comprehensive examination of the legal aspects surrounding the Chagossians’ forced removal and the ongoing legal battles for justice. It provides a detailed analysis of international law and its relevance to the Chagossians’ struggle.
- “Chagos: A History” by David Vine: This book traces the history of the Chagos Archipelago and the experiences of those who called it home. It sheds light on the colonial history, the expulsion of the Chagossians, and their ongoing activism.
- Chagos Refugees Group (CRG) Website: The official website of CRG provides valuable information about the Chagossians, their culture, history, and ongoing campaigns for justice and repatriation. It offers resources, news updates, and ways to support their cause. (Website: https://chagosrefugeesgroup.org/)
- “Chagos: Its History, People, and Place” by Richard Dunne: This book explores the cultural and environmental history of the Chagos Archipelago, focusing on the Chagossians’ connection to the land, their livelihoods, and the ecological impact of their removal. It provides insights into the Chagossian way of life.
These references and resources serve as starting points for those interested in learning more about the Chagossians and their story of displacement and resilience. They offer in-depth insights into their history, culture, legal struggles, and ongoing activism.
Explore other famous people with roots, showcasing the diversity of ethnic backgrounds. Exploring notable figures from diverse ethnic backgrounds related to these Chagossians roots provides insight into the interconnectedness of global cultures and their contributions to the world.
That concludes the information we can provide about famous Chagossians individuals. Thank you for reading.
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