In a country where big celebrations are often associated with religious belonging, Mother’s Day is one of those rare exceptions where people are brought together regardless of their differences. There is no right way to celebrate Mother’s Day in Mauritius with families around the island often sticking to their own traditions.

Mother’s Day, the eponymous celebration aimed as a tribute to mothers around the world, can often be confusing if you are up-to-date with news on the international scene. You would have seen Mother’s Day celebrations already a few weeks ago, wondering if you had missed the big day and texting someone in panic asking for confirmation. The reason for that is that Mother’s Day is celebrated on different dates in different countries. Countries such as Russia and Bulgaria celebrate it on 8March, the same day as the International Women’s Day, while others like the US and Canada opt for the second Sunday of May. On the other hand, in Mauritius, it is celebrated on the last Sunday of May, which is this weekend for those of you still keeping tabs.

“Material gifts are good but with family gatherings, we often give the gift of time in what could otherwise be busy schedules for everyone.”

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There are different ways in which Mauritians like to spend the day on this special occasion, depending on their own families and their stance on the celebration of what can often be perceived as a commercial holiday. According to Didier Nagawa, a young architectural technologist, Mother’s Day is only a distinctive celebration for those who don’t value what they have every other day of the year. “On Mother’s Day, I always give my mother perfume because she likes it,” said Nagawa. “However, that’s about it and we don’t do anything special after that.” As a matter of fact, gifts are also a key consideration on Mother’s Day with some opting for the fanciest gifts while others, like IT specialist Krishna Soyjaudah, taking a more pragmatic approach. “I usually try to buy her something that she can use every day rather than something that will spend most of its time in the closet,” said Soyjaudah. “However, that is not always possible, which is why sometimes I indulge in the more mainstream approach and I just buy something fancy.”

“There are still a few days to sort out the perfect day for your mother.”

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There are also the typical family gatherings for those who celebrate Mother’s Day with more verve. These gatherings usually take the form of lunch or dinner at the home of the head of the family, in a bid to bring everyone together. There is no specific meal associated with Mother’s Day with families often going for classics of Mauritian culture like the briani or even the sept caris. For civil engineer Yagnesh Mutty, these family gatherings are part of the very fabric of Mother’s Day, in Mauritius at least. “Material gifts are good but with family gatherings, we often give the gift of time in what could otherwise be busy schedules for everyone,” said Mutty. “It is more than just a commercial holiday given that it is one of those rare days where we can really show our gratitude.” It is also a day of remembrance for those who have unfortunately lost their mother. “I lost my mother to cancer a couple of years ago so whenever there is Mother’s Day, it is a little bit painful,” said Nadeem Hosany, a shopkeeper in Quatre-Bornes. “But it is also an opportunity to visit her at the cemetery, to think of all the good memories over the years and to be grateful for the time that she was with us.” It is one of the many ways Mauritians will spend the day on that special occasion given that the nature of the celebration very much depends on one’s own personal circumstances.

Mother’s Day will be celebrated across the island on Sunday 28 May this year. There are still a few days to sort out the perfect day for your mother, whether it is with a simple card and flowers, with a grand family gathering worthy of any other major celebration during the year or with the fanciest gifts available in stores. Regardless of how important Mother’s Day is in Mauritius or across the world for that matter, it is still an opportunity to warm your mother’s heart and be grateful for everything handed to us in our lives. That, in itself, is priceless.

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