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Mauritius is situated in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2400

kilometres off the South East Coast of Africa. The island, which is of volcanic origin, covers an area of 1,865 square kilometres or 720 square miles. Coral reefs surround most of the coast except the south.

"You gather the idea that Mauritius was made first, and then heaven; and that heaven was copied after Mauritius." Mark Twain, "Following the equator" 1897.

Mauritius is a small island in the Indian Ocean more than 500 miles east of a much larger island, Madagascar, which is located off the southeast coast of the African continent

Music of Mauritius

The Sega is a dance which originated from the ritual music of Madagascar and the mainland of Africa, and it is the Musical Expression of the Mauritian Way of Life: Joy, Carefree and Lively. Originally sung by men and women who had been sold as slaves but whose souls had remained sensitive to music, the Sega is nowadays a folksong which has integrated itself within the framework of our folklore. It is a cry from the soul trying to transcend the miseries and heartaches of life, while at the same time expressing the universal human desire for joy and happiness. It tells the joys and sorrows of the peasants and the fishing folks. It is a nostalgic heritage of the villagers. Its beats, gripping in intensity, now provide entertainment to Mauritians of all walks of life in towns and villages. Today the Sega and its beat are a part of every Mauritian's life

The "Blue Mauritius"

The Island of Mauritius is famous for 2 of the rarest stamps in the World, the 1847 "Post Office" Penny Orange and Twopence Blue.

In 1847, seven years after the first stamp was issued by Great Britain, Lady Gomn, the Governor's wife had the first Mauritian postage stamps printed, and entrusted Joseph Osmond Barnard, a local miniature painter and engraver, with the engraving of two stamps, one with the value of one penny and another with the value of two pence.

When working at the engraving of the stamps he suddenly realized that he had forgotten what was to be printed on them, so he went to the post office to get information. As he came closer to the building he saw the inscription "Post Office", which seemed to ring a bell for him. So he returned to work and engraved those two words, thus creating involuntarily the most famous stamps of Philatelic History, the "Post Office"-stamps.

When he realized that the correct wording should have been "Post Paid" it was too late. Already 240 pieces of both stamps were printed and sold. Lady Gomm, wife of Governor Gomm used the first issue of the "Post Office" stamps to frank her invitations for the fancy dress ball of September 30, 1847.

Of this print only 26 pieces survived, 12 of One Penny cancelled and 2 mint, and 6 of Two Pence cancelled and 6 mint. The estimated value of these stamps are over 1 million US Dollar, and will therefore hardly find their way into an ordinary stamp collection, but at least we can enjoy the sight of them.