Of the countries in Africa that represent a lot of different wonders, it would take a great deal to stand out. Still, surprisingly, this is an ability Réunion France has managed to learn in real-time, thanks to its rich and diverse Culture and Traditions.

This article explores the growth of Réunion France Culture and Traditions, including the people and language, and their unique integration into the 21st century.

Réunion France is an overseas department and region of France, located just off the shores of Africa, 180 km southwest of Mauritius and 680 km east of Madagascar, the closest African island to the country.

It is an integral part of the French Republic, and the country’s capital is Saint-Denis, located on the hilly lands and forests encapsulating the island.

Réunion France Population

With the almost obscure location of this country, it is hardly surprising that its population is only about 912,310 (per the latest estimates by Worldometer).

This number is spread amongst the various tribes and ethnicities of people living in the country, representing the broad diversity the government supports.

Still, surprisingly for developing countries, fertility and growth rates have been dropping steadily for the past few years, while mortality still maintains its regular percentages.

As a very multicultural society, Réunion possesses many citizens who are initially from different parts of the world, and they all have unique names they call each other, e.g.,

Cafres (African ancestry)
Z’oreilles (born in mainland France),
Tamouls or Malabars (from Tamil Nadu, southern India),
Z’arabes (from Gujarat in northern India),
Chinois (from China),
Malgaches (from Madagascar),
Comores (from Comores),
Petits blancs (poor rural whites living in the highlands), or
Creole blancs (white landowners)

Creole is also a common name for people with mixed/multiple ethnicities, and every island citizen is a French citizen by administrative control.

Religion

Most of the Réunionese population is Christian, with the religion recording 87.6% of the country’s population with a considerable focus on Roman Catholicism.

To be recognized by their employers and the greater community in earlier times, all contract employees had to show Christian ideas and conduct Christian rites. There were vigorous efforts against other religions, particularly Hinduism.

However, today, the various ethnic groups in the country practice different religions, from Buddhism, practiced by the Chinese demographic, Hinduism (6.72%), Islam (2.15%), and even a minority religion like the Chinese folk religion.

National and Local Languages of Réunion France

Réunion’s lingua franca is French, and while Réunion Creole is not an official language, it is spoken alongside French. Creole is extensively used for informal purposes, while French is the official language for administrative and educational purposes.

Other languages spoken on the island by immigrants include Comorian (especially Shimaore) and Malagasy by recent immigrants from Mayotte and Madagascar; and Mandarin, Hakka, and Cantonese by members of the Chinese community. Indian languages, primarily Tamil, Gujarati, Hindi, and Arabic, are spoken by a small Muslim community.

According to WorldData information, only about 0.7% of the Réunion population are native speakers of French, while a stunning 91.5% of the populace are native speakers of Creole-French or Réunion Creole.

Creole-French/Réunion Creole: is a French-based type of Creole language, and different cultures and ethnicities have adopted it worldwide. Réunion Creole is the adaptation of Creole, which is unique to the island alone.
Comorian: is a language like Swahili, which also belongs to the Sabaki subgroup of the Bantu family group, which means it is an Atlantic-Congo language. It originates from the Comoros Islands as one of the four major Bantu languages on the Island.
Malagasy: the language of the Madagascans, developed in Réunion majorly by the influx of immigrants from the neighboring island. The language is spoken by 4% of the Réunion’s population.

The other languages spoken in the country (Hakka, Arabic, Tamil, Gujarati, Hindi, and Arabic) are all minority languages because they are said to be spoken by only about 0.8% of the country’s population.

Family Life

Family is an essential part of life on Réunion Island. Traditional family structures are still prevalent, with strong bonds between grandparents, parents, and children. Family gatherings are routine, with meals and celebrations being a time for the family to unite.

In Réunionese homes, large groups of relatives are typical, with cousins, aunts, and uncles playing a significant role in daily life. Because of the strong family ties, it is common for kids to continue living with their parents long after they have wed.

As with many cultures, respect for elders plays a significant role in family life, which is reflected in family interactions. Younger family members usually consult their elders for advice on decisions and social customs. Grandparents and parents are revered; people typically consult them before making important decisions.

Arts and Architecture in Réunion France

Réunion France is a nation directly impacted by African, Asian, and European ethnic backgrounds. It is a country that serves as a cultural hub for various continents. This is a fascinating nation to explore because each of these ethnic groups has left its distinctive mark on the landscape.

One of the most critical parts of the island’s art is music, singing, and dancing, and one of the dances that stands out is Maloya, a blend of music, dancing, and singing.

During the early years of French colonialism, African and Malgache slaves created this dance to communicate their sorrow and pain. The word “maloya” derives from the Malgache verb “maloy aho,” which means “to speak.” UNESCO recognizes the dance as a component of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Sega is an integral part of the cultural identity and heritage of Réunion France. It is a popular music and dance genre that originated in the Mascarene Islands and has evolved to integrate aspects and elements of European, Indian, and Malagasy music and dance.

This music is generally performed at weddings and festivals, and percussion instruments characterize the music. It is accompanied by a dance known for its fluid, sensual movements, which are used to reflect the waves of the ocean.

Architecture

Like many African countries, Réunionese architecture has experienced many shifts that turned the tide in how the society is built and structured.

During slave trading, the prominent architecture was massive, primarily estates. The owners’ mansions, sugar plant buildings, and enslaved person’s sleeping quarters all came together to form compact, self-sufficient communities.

Creole architecture is one of Réunion’s most distinctive architectural styles. It is a fusion of French, African, and Indian forms, with steep-roofed wooden houses, huge verandas, and exquisite wooden fretwork. These dwellings are frequently painted in bright colors and are intended to give shade and ventilation in the tropical temperature of the island.

Since colonization, the impact of traditional Creole on buildings and architecture has waned a bit, which led to a high increase in the amount of colonial architecture in the country, e.g., The Maison Carrère, built by colonial masters in the 18th Century.

Réunionese Food

The country’s cuisine is characterized by bright colors, which are the result of the large number of spices present in it. According to tradition, most of their traditional cuisine draws inspiration from Madagascar and Indian cuisines.

One of the essential parts of the food on the island is appetizers, mostly fried foods used to whet the appetite. The most popular meal in the country is Carri, which is a Réunionese curry and is essential to most meals. Others include:

Rougail saucisse: a traditional Réunion cuisine that consists of sausages cooked in a spicy tomato sauce and served with rice.
Carry poulet: a chicken curry cooked with a combination of Indian and African spices, often consumed with rice and lentils.
Massale: This spice blend is popular in Réunion cuisine. It’s created using cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cardamom, among other Indian spices.
Samosas: similar to Indian samosas, these are popular snacks in Réunion. They contain various components such as chicken, meat, veggies, and cheese.

As per the norm on the island, no meal is complete unless accompanied by a punch and ‘rhum arrangé’ (mulled rum) or tamarind syrup; some of them include:

Gâteau patate: a sweet potato cake famous as a treat at reunions or other events. It is typically flavored with rum and prepared with sweet potatoes, coconut milk, sugar, and spices.
Tarte à la banane: a popular treat in Réunion is the banana tart. It has a delicious pastry shell, mashed banana, sugar, and rum inside.

Fashion on Réunion Island

For a country comprising people of different heritage, a wide range of cultural diversity is expected, especially in traditional attire worn. For example, people of Indian descent are more predisposed to wear Sari, also known as a saree, which could be considered a suitable gift for a special occasion such as a wedding ceremony.

The Réunion patchwork dress is also an attire worn majorly during momentous events or weddings, and it serves to represent an essential part of the country’s culture. It is made of floral prints and designs with different styles and fairy hemlines.

Réunion France also has a booming handicraft industry, with numerous artisans creating beautiful, handcrafted goods like baskets, hats, and jewelry. Inspired by the island’s natural beauty and cultural legacy, these goods frequently use native materials such as bamboo and raffia.

Doing Business in Réunion France

For a country located in such an obscure location and with a small population, it is unsurprising that the factors required to start a business are exceptional, some of which are explained below:

Market: with an estimated population of 800,000 people, Réunion Island is a small market. Before entering the market, it is critical to investigate the local market and competition thoroughly. Agricultural products, primarily sugar cane, mainly support the economy. Therefore, it may be an excellent investment spot.
Taxation: because Réunion Island is a department of France, it is subject to French taxation rules. Speaking with a tax specialist is crucial to understanding the tax ramifications of doing business on the island.
Réunion Island has strict labor laws, which include a minimum salary and restrictions governing working hours and conditions. It is critical to follow these regulations to prevent legal problems.
Logistics: because Réunion Island is an isolated island in the Indian Ocean, logistics might be complex. Supply networks must be carefully planned and managed to enable quick shipment of goods and services.

Many other rules are necessary for starting a business, but the information listed above is a great place to start.

Réunion France Holidays and Celebrations

As a country that is influenced by the culture of different continents, the number of holidays in the country is numerous. Apart from the regular Christmas, Easter, and New Year everyone celebrates, below are a few of the other celebrations in the country;

Labor Day: Celebrated on May 1st, Labor Day is a public holiday celebrating workers’ achievements. There are often parades and demonstrations in major cities.
Abolition of Slavery: On December 20th, Réunion Island celebrates the abolition of slavery in 1848. There are often parades and cultural events to mark the occasion.
Chinese New Year: Réunion Island has a sizeable Chinese community, and Chinese New Year is celebrated with parades, dragon and lion dances, and traditional Chinese food.
Diwali: is the Hindu festival of lights celebrated on Réunion Island with lighting lamps, fireworks, and family gatherings.
Maloya Festival: occurs every November to celebrate the island’s traditional Maloya music, and it is an excellent opportunity for tourists to see the country.

Common Réunionese Language Expressions and their Translation

The most spoken language on the Réunion Island is Creole-French, and below are a few terms for visitors to the country:

Bonjour – Good morning.
Komansava? – How are you?
Mi lé la – I am here.
Mi sa pa – I don’t know
Mi oulé manzé – I want to eat.
Konbien, I koute? – How much does it cost?
Dann lo ker, dann lo kèr – From the pot to the heart (meaning that food is not just nourishment for the body, but also for the soul)
A ou lé – It’s up to you
Mi aime a ou – I love you.

Even in this unique language, the influence of regular French is noticeable in the alphabet and their linguistic pronunciation and spellings.

Translation for the Réunion France Market

While translating for the relatively small island, here are a few things that are useful to know.

Understand the language and culture: French and Réunion Creole are the island’s most spoken languages, and different ethnic groups also speak other languages and dialects.
Localize your translations: Make sure your translations are adapted to suit the Réunion France’s market, e.g., using local idioms, expressions, and cultural references specific to the island. e.g.
- “Fèr lepok” – This expression means “to make time” or “to take one’s time.”
- “Pou konnen” – This expression means “to find out” or “to know.”
- “Mi konpran pa” – This common expression means “I don’t understand.”

These are just a few standard terms the country’s indigenous people use. For official translation, some organizations offer such services.

Conclusion

Due to its unique location, its people, and the influence of other cultures, Réunion France is one of the most underrated African countries with great opportunities.

Investing in the country early can take advantage of those opportunities before they become common knowledge. One can quickly learn the people’s unique culture because they are primarily descendants of popular cultures.

Réunion France Culture and Traditions