Research
The Documentation and Research Unit of the Centre is a Unit specializing on the African Continent. Books and magazines cover a wide range such as: history, literature, religion, oral tradition, culture, philosophy, economy, sociology, all related to the African Continent. The Unit comprises also a collection of publications on slavery and on the Indian Ocean islands: Mauritius, Reunion, Madagascar, Seychelles, Rodrigues, Comores.
Research work is being initiated and carried out by the Unit and books are published regularly.
Genealogy / Slave Family History
The Research Project named “Origins/Genealogy” Project is still ongoing at the Centre.
The objectives of this project are to set up a structure at the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture which would assist Mauritians in establishing their slave descent and to trace the linguistic, geographic, cultural origins of the Mauritians of slave descent.
The Genealogy Database is available on the website of the Centre and for those who do not have access to the internet; the central database is available to researchers and to the Mauritian public at large for consultation at the Family History Unit, at the seat of the Centre. The staff of the Centre provides necessary assistance.
Publications
Up to now the following books have been published and are on sale at the Centre:
“Pages Africaines de l’Ile Maurice” (1987): a compilation of press articles on Mauritian folklore of African origin by Mr Marcel Didier.
“Table et Traditions Créoles, Ile Maurice, Ile Rodrigues, Agaléga, Chagos” (1991): a study of the Creole culinary traditions of these islands by Mrs Colette Le Chartier.
“Le Marronnage à l’Isle de France – Ile Maurice: Rêve ou Riposte de l’Esclave” (1999): a history of maroons in Isle de France – Mauritius by Mgr. Amédée Nagapen. This publication has been awarded the “Grand Prix Littéraire de l’Océan Indien et du Pacifique” by A.D.E.L.F.
“Méthode de ravanne” (1999): Ways of playing the “ravanne”, traditional music instrument by Menwar (Stéphano Honoré).
“’Forbidden Freedom’: The Life Experience of the Liberated Africans in 19th Century Mauritius during the Slavery Era (1811-1839)” by Satyendra Peerthum, Stéphan Karghoo, Rajsri Devi Chedee and Ashvinah Kanoosingh.
“Our History, Our Heritage: History of Slavery in Mauritius’, Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture Trust Fund, 2015, by Stéphan Karghoo
“Rémy Ollier (1816-1845), Une Vie, Un Combat’, Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture Trust Fund, 2016
Rs. 50
“Ti-Frère, poète du quotidien” (1993): a study of the life, music and songs of Alphonse Ravaton, known as Ti-Frère, typical sega singer by Mrs. Colette Le Chartier.
Rs. 150
“A Select Guide to Sources on Slavery in Mauritius and Slaves speak out” (1995): by Mrs Vijaya Teelock.
Rs. 250
"History, Memory and Identity, Comparative Perspectives Vol 2", Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture Trust Fund, 2019, edited by Edward A. Alpers, Stéphan Karghoo and Vijayalakshmi Teelock
Rs. 150
"La Petite Mascareigne- Aspects de L'histoire de Rodrigues" - by Mrs. Lilian Berthelot.- This book relates the history of the island of Rodrigues from slavery period up to the present day.
Rs. 150
"Terre d'Orages"
Rs. 150
"Mauritius in the Making"
Rs. 75
“Revi Kiltir Kreol No. 2” : An annual publication providing an academic and research analysis of Creole cultures in Mauritius and the Indian Ocean region.
Rs. 150
“Revi Kiltir Kreol No. 3” : An annual publication providing an academic and research analysis of Creole cultures in Mauritius and the Indian Ocean region.
Rs. 150
“Revi Kiltir Kreol No. 4” : An annual publication providing an academic and research analysis of Creole cultures in Mauritius and the Indian Ocean region.
Rs. 75
“Revi Kiltir Kreol No. 5” : An annual publication providing an academic and research analysis of Creole cultures in Mauritius and the Indian Ocean region.
Rs. 150
“Revi Kiltir Kreol No. 6” : An annual publication providing an academic and research analysis of Creole cultures in Mauritius and the Indian Ocean region.
Rs. 150
“Revi Kiltir Kreol No. 7” : An annual publication providing an academic and research analysis of Creole cultures in Mauritius and the Indian Ocean region.
Rs. 50
"Bande Dessiné - Ze ek Malia"
Rs. 200
"Port Louis construit par les esclaves"
Rs. 150
“Our First Freedom Fighters”: Study of the Maroons and Maroonage in British Mauritius between 1800 and 1839’, Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture Trust Fund, 2011, by Satyendra Peerthum and Stéphan Karghoo
Rs. 500
"E-book"
Rs. 250
“Critical Ethnography, Heritage Language & Identity Construction, A study of Kreol Morisien, Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture Trust Fund, 2017, by Jimmy Harmon
