Tamil Mauritians

[2][3] A larger number of immigrants from Tamil Nadu arrived during British rule and after abolition of slavery from 1835 to serve as labourers on the sugar cane plantations.

Tamils make up 6 percent of the island's total population of around 1.3 million accounting for around 78,000 people.

As per Mauritian social conventions, the "Tamil", "Marathi" and "Telugu" appelations are strictly reserved for members of these respective ethno-linguistic groups who still practice Hinduism.

It is one of the Asian languages recognised by Acts of Parliament along with Hindi, Urdu, Chinese, Marathi, Telugu and Bhojpuri and as such taught in schools as from age 6.

Thaipusam, is the principal Tamil Hindu festival, a national holiday in Mauritius and celebrated in various temples across the island.