Le Morne story
- By The Rambler
- Published 30th May, 2008
And so, Le Morne has ultimately been able to make its way to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage. Or almost. Because it seems that the process of inscription hasn’t been totally completed yet. There is still a hurdle or two to be negotiated. And between the cup and the lip, as we all know, there still could be many a slip. But let’s not be pessimistic. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and pray and hope that all goes well, and Le Morne finally meets with the favour of the UNESCO judges.
After Aapravasi Ghat in 2006, Le Morne will be the second Mauritian site to be proclaimed a world heritage, and so these two places will henceforth belong to the whole world, and not to Mauritius alone. Let us hope a few more such places are unearthed and recommended to UNESCO as world heritage.
If Aapravasi Ghat is the gateway to Mauritius for the hundreds of thousands of coolies who landed here and set the ball rolling for indentured labour, UNESCO qualifies Le Morne as being of “Outstanding Universal Value.” UNESCO is also alive to the fact that “Le Morne offers an exceptional
testimony to maroonage and resistance as it had been used as a fortress, a symbol of slave fight for freedom, a symbol of sufferings and a symbol of sacrifice.”
It must have been quite a job for Government officers and others to get these two sites inscribed on the UNESCO list. However, being accepted as a world heritage is one thing, remaining on the list is another. If we are not very careful, we might see one of these sites, if not both, being struck off. A constant effort of maintenance must be observed.
On the other hand, if these sites have been recognized as world heritage, they must be made to offer chunks of Mauritian history to the visitor. A lot of relevant documentation must be made available pertaining to Mauritian history. A full-fledged museum must be created on each of these sites.
Le Morne especially, should be made to shed its mournful look although it is a place that evokes sad memories. The surrounding place should be given a face-lift.
Aapravasi Ghat and Le Morne are apt reminders of the ordeal of people displaced by claims of migration, and the role played by slaves and indentured labourers in the development of the modern world.
After Aapravasi Ghat in 2006, Le Morne will be the second Mauritian site to be proclaimed a world heritage, and so these two places will henceforth belong to the whole world, and not to Mauritius alone. Let us hope a few more such places are unearthed and recommended to UNESCO as world heritage.
If Aapravasi Ghat is the gateway to Mauritius for the hundreds of thousands of coolies who landed here and set the ball rolling for indentured labour, UNESCO qualifies Le Morne as being of “Outstanding Universal Value.” UNESCO is also alive to the fact that “Le Morne offers an exceptional
It must have been quite a job for Government officers and others to get these two sites inscribed on the UNESCO list. However, being accepted as a world heritage is one thing, remaining on the list is another. If we are not very careful, we might see one of these sites, if not both, being struck off. A constant effort of maintenance must be observed.
On the other hand, if these sites have been recognized as world heritage, they must be made to offer chunks of Mauritian history to the visitor. A lot of relevant documentation must be made available pertaining to Mauritian history. A full-fledged museum must be created on each of these sites.
Le Morne especially, should be made to shed its mournful look although it is a place that evokes sad memories. The surrounding place should be given a face-lift.
Aapravasi Ghat and Le Morne are apt reminders of the ordeal of people displaced by claims of migration, and the role played by slaves and indentured labourers in the development of the modern world.
|
Typo/Layout Correction Found a typo? Or the layout seems messed up? Please send us your correction or the article link to help us keep this website as accurate as possible. Vous avez remarqué une erreur de typo ou de mise en page ? Veuillez nous faire parvenir votre correction ou l’adresse de l’article afin de nous aider à rendre notre site encore plus fiable. |
