Le Morne Cultural Landscape

Le Morne Cultural Landscape

The Le Morne Cultural Landscape is located in the southwestern part of Mauritius. With its rugged cliffs plunging into the Indian Ocean, it served as a refuge for escaped slaves throughout the 18th century and early 19th century. Owing to its remote location, dense forests, and towering cliffs, runaway slaves established small settlements in the caves and on the summit of the mountain.

Through oral traditions passed down by escaped slaves, Le Morne has become a symbol representing the struggle for freedom, the suffering, and the sacrifices made by enslaved people—all of which are tied to the countries from which they fled—Africa, Madagascar, India, and Southeast Asia. In fact, Mauritius, as a major hub in the eastern slave trade, is also known as the “Republic of the Runaway Slaves” due to the large number of fugitives who lived on Le Morne.

Le Morne Cultural Landscape

Why Go: The most renowned site related to escaped slaves

Continent: Africa【Africa】

Country/Region: Mauritius[Mauritius]

Province/State: Black River District [Black River District]