Photographer and filmmaker Sharvan Anenden and I were commissioned by renowned writer and editor Barlen Pyamootoo to photograph the village of Trou d’Eau Douce.
The village, located on the East Coast of the island, is quite representative of the coastal landscape of Mauritius with the small fields, fishermen on their pirogues and bustling market streets. The aim here was to stay away from the obvious and go beyond the post card references to look where the heart of the place truly lies. When peeking in the backstage of the village one discovers a place that has withstood the passage of time, where tradition remains deeply rooted within its people who keep the Mauritian identity alive.
Joyce and Lucian Mootoo in their home. Joyce was the village councillor, a strong woman with a kind heart. Trou d'Eau Douce. Mauritius. June 2021.
Wind on the beach near Pointe Quatre Cocos. Trou d'Eau Douce, Mauritius. June 2021
A man and his son on their pirogue. Trou d'Eau Douce, Mauritius. July 2021
Marlene and Edwin outside of their home. Trou d'Eau Douce. June 2021.
Rajkumar working in his field. He also works at a restaurant to make ends meet. Trou d'Eau Douce. June 2021.
A dog in a backyard with a boy peeking at the back. Trou d'Eau Douce. Mauritius. July 2021.
Mary-Joyce Seblin and her mother in the back. Trou d'Eau Douce. Mauritius. July 2021.
An abandoned boat in the bay of the village. Trou d'Eau Douce. Mauritius. July 2021.
A boy and his dog outside on the street. Trou d'Eau Douce. Mauritius. July 2021.
Nizam Ozeerally next to his house. Trou d'Eau Douce, Mauritius. July 2021
Corporal Sewtoholl. with a picture of Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth in the background. Trou d'Eau Douce. Mauritius. July 2021.
Tyron, Ludovic et Ky-mani during recess at the primary school of the village. Trou d'Eau Douce. Mauritius. July 2021.
A man dancing while others sing and play the ravanne (traditional Mauritian instrument) at the funeral of a 19 years old boy who passed away from leukaemia. As short as his life has been, they are celebrating it, honouring it. Trou d'Eau Douce. Mauritius. July 2021.
Rolo Mangllier sitting in his house while his grand-daughter enters the room. Trou d'Eau Douce. Mauritius. July 2021.
A man sliding his pirogue boat, on his way to dock it in the boat yard. Trou d'Eau Douce. Mauritius. July 2021.
Hoe and flip flops of a farmer. Trou d'Eau Douce. Mauritius. June 2021.
Gita lights up some wood in order to repel mosquitos when she goes to cut some grass to feed her goats. Trou d'Eau Douce. Mauritius. July 2021.
Teenagers playing football in the evening. Most of the young people of the village, and of the island as a matter of fact, are avid football fans. Trou d'Eau Douce. Mauritius. July 2021.
