Indo-Réunionnais
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (220,000) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| St André, St Denis, St Louis | |
| Languages | |
| French, Réunion Creole, Tamil | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism, Catholicism, Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin, Malbars, Zarabes, Tamils, Desi, Indian diaspora in France |
Réunionnais of Indian origin are people of Indian origin in Réunion. They form two ethnic groups on the island, Malbars and Zarabes.
Originally brought in as indentured laborers as in Mauritius, they were mostly from South Indian Tamils. The next largest group was from North Indian Hindus, speaking Hindi, Bhojpuri and Gujarati. The smallest group were Muslims (from North, South and West India). There were also latter emigrants, mostly Hindu, traders and businessmen. In Réunion, Indians from South India, often Hindu, are known as Malbars and Muslim Indians from North India are known as Zarabes.
Indo-Réunionnais people have affected the culture of Réunion, bringing Indian foods as well as plants and animals to the island. The Hindus here have mixed with the other races.
Originally brought in as indentured laborers as in Mauritius, they were mostly from South Indian Tamils and Telugus. Tamils in Reunion are gradual awakening and desire to their ancestors' culture, and started studying their language and religions especially from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. They also now wanted to translate their newly acquired civic and political rights into a gradual and increasing participation in local and other elections.
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