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Sega Orchestra Mauritius

Sega (pronounce Saygah) the traditional original instruments of Mauritius are disappearing and the more more conventional orchestra is becoming the standard, but not along the coastal fishing villages. This established tradition and traditional instrument has a strong hold. The traditional instruments being used are the Ravane, goat skin which is stretch over a wooden hoop. The Coco, also known as Maracas, representing the percussion section. The Triangle, a simple piece of metal hit with an iron wand. And a guitar, single string with an arc attached to an empty Calebasse.

You’ll only find this Sega orchestra a festivals, smaller fishing villages or in the lobby of the Mauritius Luxury Hotel. But I recommend going to the smaller fishing village to listen to the fishing folks gather around a camp fire and give full vent to their emotions inspired by the local rum. They dance, very often, without any music at all or are accompanied with the sound of the Ravane, the tinkling of spoons, the rattling of seeds in a tin, and the clapping of hands. It’s an intimate event and you’ll be surprised that you were also eager to  participated in the Sega either by dancing or playing one of the original traditional instruments.

At first, the Sega dance is a rhythmic swaying of the hips, moving to the pulsating rhythm of the Ravane. But, then going from a slow solemn tune it gradually rises to an all consuming rapture of animated movements of body jerking, stretching and swaying keeping pace with the ever-increasing tempo. The beat flows inside you as and as your body responds to the rhythm, you’ll be carried away to the heights of bliss. Vibrating with a shaking force that inspire you to an even higher unrestrained ecstasy of dancing. No worries about how you look because the rhythm is too strong and will carry you away, all the way into the wee hours. When the music stops, and the sun rises, you’ll be tired, but you’ll also be aware that you have been transformed.

Related posts:

1. Hunting the Big Fish in Mauritius
2. Festivals on Mauritius
3. Fann al Sout
4. The Natural History Museum of Mauritius Island

Tags: Calebasse, hotel, Mauritius, Orchestra, Ravane, Sega

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