Sega () is one of the major music genres of Mauritius and Réunion. It is a complete performance art, involving music, story-telling and traditional dance. Musically, the most modern forms common in Mauritius are its fusion genre seggae and bhojpuri variations, whilst Réunion also features maloya, the latter being much closer to the older, typical music influences originating from Madagascar. The variety of different sega forms is reflected in the multi-ethnic populous of the indigenous population of Mauritius.
Sega (traditional Mauritian sega, sega tambour Chagos, sega tambour of Rodrigues Island) has been included in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage lists.
Sega has its roots in the music of slaves as well as their descendants Mauritian Creole people and is usually sung in Mauritian Creole or Réunionese Creole. Sega is also popular on the islands of Agaléga and Rodrigues as well as Seychelles, though the music and dances differ and it is sung in these islands' respective creole languages. In the past, sega music focused on traditional percussion instruments such as the ravanne and the triangle, it was sung to protest against injustices in the Mauritian society, this particular version of sega is known as Santé engagé.
Description
The music's traditional form was largely improvised and intensely emotional and expressed the tribulations of a subjugated, initially enslaved, people.
It is primarily music to dance to but was also used for dirges and as part of traditional exorcisms.
Instruments
Traditional instruments include:
- the maravanne (rattle)
- moutia (hand drum)
- the goatskin drum ravanne
- triangle
- and the bobre (bow).
There is also the tantam, which is a stringed instrument consisting of a gourd with a bow attached, played in time to the drum. Nowadays, electric guitars and keyboards are used.
Dance
Sega is danced without the feet ever leaving the ground.
Sega's exact origins outside the islands are unknown. However, it is understood to have Afro-Malagasy roots and be a fusion of African or Malagasy music with European music. It was also looked down upon by the Catholic Church, which was not keen on its association with sexuality and alcohol.
Until the Mauritian artist Ti Frère became popular in the 1960s, sega was only played in private places. Kaya's music is, however, still very popular and has inspired contemporary musicians to expand the Seggae genre.
Regional varieties
Réunion
In Réunion, sega is relatively slow, and is danced by couples who are not as physically close as on Mauritius. There is some confusion as to the usage of the words maloya and sega. What was called sega in historical accounts from previous centuries is similar to what is nowadays called maloya. The accordion groups of Rodrigues, segakordeon, include European folk dance music such as polkas, quadrilles, waltzes and Scottish reels. Rodrigue music is extremely swift compared to other varieties. These sega tambours are sung mostly by women and are danced only by one couple at a time, accompanied by clapping or the use of improvised percussion instruments like table legs and glasses. The accordion was not being played so much by young people but an initiative involving the European Union are giving accordion lessons to young Rodriguans.
Seychelles
One form of Seychellois sega is called Moutya and is similar to Réunionnais sega. Seychellois music is influenced by Western ballads, and especially country music. Increasingly, Reggae, Rock, hip hop, jazz, electronic dance music, house music and pop style Seychellois music have become popular locally as well as internationally with the wider Seychellois community.
Chagos Islands
The Chagos Islanders also had their own variety of sega before they were deported from the islands to make way for the American military base Diego Garcia.