4 - The Silent Contributions of an African-Asian Population within the Creole Architecture of Mauritius

Creole architecture, a tropical colonial style developed in the 1700s, emerged across the Americas, Caribbean, and Indian Ocean. While its study often centres Western territories, this paper draws attention to Mauritius—an island shaped by 370 years of colonial occupation and the forced migration of African and Asian peoples through slavery and indenture. In this context, Creole architecture is not simply a colonial legacy, but a product of cultural fusion, adaptation, and survival. This research focuses on St. Georges Street in Port Louis, where a few remaining Creole houses are maintained by local residents. These homes are under threat from gentrification, demolition, and climate change. Despite limited resources, the community continues to preserve them using inherited knowledge and traditional building practices. To uncover the overlooked contributions of African-Asian communities in shaping this architecture, the study applies a dual methodology:
(i) Architectural cataloguing—documenting and analysing the material and spatial features of Creole houses; and
(ii) Ethnographic fieldwork—conducting interviews, observations, and participatory engagements with residents, artisans, and cultural custodians.
This combined method, inspired by Prof. Magda Minguzzi’s research approach, reveals how built heritage and community identity are deeply interconnected. Creole architecture becomes a site where labour, memory, and resistance converge. Ultimately, the paper offers a decolonial perspective on architectural heritage, highlighting how subaltern knowledge and everyday practices contribute to the preservation of cultural identity in postcolonial Mauritius.