How to Be a Nation of Migrants? A Return to Roots Versus Global Citizenship in Contemporary Mauritian Poetry

HOW TO BE A NATION OF MIGRANTS? A RETURN TO ROOTS VERSUS GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP IN CONTEMPORARY MAURITIAN POETRY The purpose of this article is to present the contemporary literary tendencies concerning the national and migrant identity in the Mauritian poetry written in the second half of 20th century and in the 21st century. The analysis of chosen poems aims to show the principal currents and outline different attitudes of the older and the rising generations of poets. Firstly, the Author describes briefly the history of literature in Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean which has become a homeland for French colonizers, African slaves, Indian coolies and Chinese indentured labourers. As the literature was born in the French-speaking Creole circles, the poetry remains primarily francophone, though a significant part of younger generation chooses to express themselves in English. There is a broad range of authors whose attempts to find or define their identity are reflected in their poetry, because the theme of problematic migrant condition is apparently crucial for Mauritians. There are some who confront the colonial past and fight racism, others tend to concentrate on the present day, trying to fit in the multicultural society and cope with the difficulties of multilingualism. The youngest become global citizens, writing in English about universal human experiences. The Author describes the differences between these three groups, concentrating on three dimensions of Mauritian identity: motherland, migration and postcolonialism. Apparently, the rising generation does not totally break the ties with their homeland, but grows independent. Mauritian origins influence their creation a lot less, comparing to the older authors. On the contrary, the generation born in 1960s and 1970s often address social issues, relevant either to the postcolonialism or to the problems of modern society. Among oldest poets who emigrated to France it is the lyrical and nostalgic tone that prevails, whereas the youngest, despite ...