Chapter 15 · 18th – 20th century
The birth of a Réunionese society
Through successive waves of settlement (European settlers, enslaved Malagasy and Africans, Indian indentured labourers, Chinese merchants and Muslims from Gujarat), Réunionese society was built where several worlds met.
A mixed-heritage island
This shared history gave rise to a population mixing European, African, Malagasy, Indian and Chinese origins.
Réunion Creole
Born of these encounters, it became the common language of all the island's communities.
Living together
The festivals and traditions of each community are now shared by all Réunion islanders.
Photo: Illustration created for the app · Illustration, not an authentic period photograph