Honouring the memory of the first indentured labourers at Antoinette Phooliyar
A symbolic visit was held at Antoinette Phooliyar, Barlow, retracing the footsteps of the 36 first indentured labourers from Bihar who arrived in Mauritius in 1834 and laid the foundations of the island’s modern history.
The Minister of Arts and Culture, Hon. Mahendra Gondeea, OSK, was joined by Hon. Raj Pentiah, Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reforms., MP Hon. Dr. Sandeep Prayag, representatives of the District Council, officers of the Ministry of Arts and Culture, the Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund, private sector partners such as Terra, as well as descendants and local residents.
During the visit, the delegation discovered the surviving vestiges of the early settlement – the chimney, the old factory, the camp, and the well – which continue to stand as silent witnesses to the courage, resilience, and sacrifices of the first indentured workers.
Speaking at the site, the Hon Minister Gondeea emphasised the collective responsibility to safeguard this heritage: “Together, we carry a shared wish – to preserve and revive this village in order to honour the memory of our ancestors.”
The initiative forms part of wider efforts to recognise and protect the tangible and intangible heritage linked to indentured labour, ensuring that the story of the early workers remains alive for future generations.
