Indians in Réunion


Indians in Réunion are people of Indian origin in Réunion. They form two ethnic groups on the island, Malbars and Zarabes.

Origins

Originally brought in as indentured laborers, as in Mauritius, they were mostly of South Indian Tamil origin. The second and smallest group were Muslims There were also later emigrants, mostly Hindu traders and businessmen. In Réunion, Indians from South India, often Hindu, are known as Malbars and Muslim Indians from North and West India are known as Zarabes.

Today

Indo-Réunionnais people have affected the culture of Réunion, bringing Indian cuisine as well as flora and fauna to the island. The Indo-Réunionnais Hindus have mainly assimilated with other ethnicities on the island.

Malbars

Originally brought in as indentured labourers as in Mauritius, they were mostly South Indian Tamils.
Tamils in Reunion have recently exhibited the desire to learn their ancestors' culture and have started studying their language and religions, especially from Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.
They also want to translate their newly acquired civic and political rights into a gradual and increasing participation in local and other elections. Notable contributors include:
Many are Christians and Hindus, including some who are nominally Christian but include Hindu practises. There is a significant Muslim minority known as Zarabes. Others are Sikh, Baháʼí or non-religious. Hare Krishna is also practised in Réunion. They speak Réunion Creole and French. There are a handful of schools where Indian languages such as Tamil may be studied as a third or fourth language.