Culture of Mayotte

The island has a great musical and choreographic tradition linked to Arab-Muslim culture.

Kibushi, a language of Malagasy origin, is the mother tongue of approximately 30% of the population, Mayotte thus representing the most western territory of the Austronesian linguistic and cultural area.

[2] Islam, established in Mayotte since the 15th century, occupies a major place in the organization and culture of society.

Out of town, a long cloth sarong (colorful skirt) is worn.

Most women wear traditional coloured salouva or western outfits.

Mayan women and girls pose in groups. They wear the traditional colored salouva of Mayotte and for some a matching kichalle; their arms are covered by a cotton bodysuit. They are made up, but only the woman on the right and the young girls have patterns on their faces, drawn with msindzano .