CNN traces Sega root on ‘Inside Africa’

This week, Inside Africa reports from the island of Mauritius, where CNN International examines the traditions of Sega music and how a genre which is so engrained into the country’s identity is being reinvented for a new generation. Known as ‘the Blues of the Indian Ocean’, CNN looks at how Sega is used to express the diversity of Mauritius and reflect the influence of African, Indian, Chinese and French cultures found on the island.

Inside Africa speaks to Percy Yiptong, who explains what the musical style symbolises for Mauritians: “I think for every Mauritian as a national music we’re born into it. We can be of African origin, Chinese, Indian or European origin. Sega is our rhythm… Sega unites all Mauritians. It is the music that unites all religion and communities.”

The sound of Sega is normally what greets visitors to the island, with the historically handcrafted instruments offering a unique Mauritian sound and experience whilst also preserving the memories of Mauritius’ past, which led to the creation of the musical style.

CNN notes how the traditions of Sega began during a period where slaves were brought to work on the island in the 17th century, using the music as a way to liberate their minds and spirits.

Inside Africa speaks to the singer Linzy, a modern-day performer of Sega, who outlines how the slaves’ experience developed the sound of the genre to its current form: “What the slaves were expressing through music was a lot of pain. It was also a calling or a call from their home, it was that rhythm and the language to express everything unsaid, everything deep down… What they want to express is the soul, the pain of the soul and the enjoyment, everything if I may say.”

The base of the Le Morne Mountain is now host to several monuments commemorating it as the birthplace of Sega, whilst the mountain itself was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status for its historical role during the era of slavery.

As Sega emerged in popular culture, the genre has developed into both a source of national pride and a way to preserve the memory of its origins for a new generation, as Linzy explains: “It is our pride today because the mountain is where everything started… It’s not a coincidence that traditional Sega is indirectly commemorated by World Heritage today so there is the connection. It had to happen for the world, and even for Mauritius, to realise that we do have a precious thing here.”

Preserving Sega music on the island of Mauritius comes in many different forms, including educational programmes and evolving the style for a new generation of musicians.

Percy Yiptong, who helps run a programme on the island, explains why it is so imperative the traditions and cultural heritage of Sega are outlined properly: “Sega music comes from slavery, born on the sufferings to now becoming a celebration music, a party music, and not only for the slave’s descendants but all Mauritians… This is really the only music that unifies everyone with the Creole language. So, if Sega should one day fade out, maybe the unity of Mauritius would also fade out.”

Recently, Sega has found success on a more global level through evolution and a mixture with reggae, creating a new sub-genre called Seggae. CNN speaks to Bruno Raya, who tells Inside Africa how this combination allows for the memory of Sega to be kept alive whilst also appealing to new audiences: “This is 100% Mauritian. It is important for us to promote this music… You cannot speak of Seggae without talking of Sega and how we have always said that there are only two types of music that are owned by Mauritians. One was born out of the time of slaves and the other one, after independence.”

For musicians like Linzy, Sega music has come to embody the diverse community found in modern-day Mauritius as well as conveying the memories and traditions of the past.

Reflecting on this, she tells CNN: “We’re looking for evolution. It is so important because that’s our identity… Mauritius, most of all is about the people, it’s about the melting pot. It’s about the beauty how different people can connect together. We’re blessed people. Everywhere you go, you’ll see a smile on your face and our heartbeat, our soul will stay Sega music.”