Basin of Slaves: Figurines Symbolizing Submission to be Removed and Replaced, Announces Subron

On the eve of February 1st, which marks the commemoration of the 191st anniversary of the abolition of slavery, government officials laid wreaths on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Basin of Slaves in Pamplemousses. This site holds great symbolic significance, as thousands of slaves were once brought here before being sold.

The Minister of Arts and Heritage, Mahen Goondea, along with Junior Minister Véronique Leu-Govind, was present alongside the Minister of Social Integration and Social Security, Ashok Subron, and other government representatives. They all observed a moment of reflection in memory of the victims of slavery.

On this occasion, Ashok Subron announced that the figurines depicting kneeling slaves, installed during the old regime, will be removed and replaced. He stated that these symbols convey an image of submission that is incompatible with the spirit of freedom that Mauritius aims to promote.

"We will have these figurines removed because we do not agree that, at the moment of commemorating suffering as well as the fight for freedom, images of submission - that colonizers and others responsible for slavery wanted to propagate - should be highlighted," the minister declared.

He added: "It was painful, but they also fought. We celebrate a rich yet painful history. It is also the history of freedom."

For his part, Mahen Goondea reminded everyone of the symbolic significance of the site, recalling the suffering endured by slaves. "It is here that they were washed, exposed, examined, and sold," he emphasized.

Text and video: Waren Marie