Sega Dance
Sega dance, (Pronounced Saygah) is the traditional dance of Mauritius. It’s the musical expression of the Mauritian way of life. It has origins in the music of slaves on the island, and is usually sung in creole. The music’s traditional form was mostly improvised and very emotional expressing the tribulations of an enslaved people. Dancing around the fire at the end of a hard day’s work was their way of temporarily dispelling the painful moments of their sad lives. Sega music originated among the slave populations of Mauritius, it then appeared in Réunion and later spread throughout the Seychelles. Sega is the national dance of Mauritius.
Every Mauritian is brought up with the Sega dance with its rhythmic, engaging music and colourful lyrics, the Sega is regarded nationally as a dance that expresses freedom and ’ joie de vivre’. In its modern form, sega is combined with genres like jazz, and reggae (known as Seggae).
The dance itself is the rhythmic swaying of the hips to a pulsating rhythm. It starts with a gentle swaying, to a slow and solemn tune, which gradually rises, consuming the dancers and setting their bodies jerking, stretching and swaying with animated movements to keep pace with the ever increasing tempo. The man usually stands in the dancing area with hands on his hips waiting for the girl to dance towards him, wiggling her hips and waving a colourful handkerchief. Then they face each other with a waist and shoulder grasp and then the improvisation starts. Sega is danced without the feet ever leaving the ground, instead, the rest of the body moves to the music.
You will find whilst staying in Mauritius that many hotels will put on a Sega dance evening, so that you can get a feel for the liveliness of the music. You will often be encouraged to join in. Just let yourself go, so as long as you don’t step on your partner’s feet you will be fine.
Contact us today to book your holiday to Mauritius and see the lively Sega dance yourself.