Rodrigues history

Discovery and First Settlements

The history of Rodrigues dates back to the Age of Discovery. The island was discovered in 1528 by the Portuguese navigator Diogo Rodrigues, after whom it was named. For a long time, this territory remained uninhabited, serving only as a temporary stopover for ships in need of replenishing fresh water and food supplies.

The first known attempt at settlement occurred in 1691, when a small group of French Huguenots led by François Leguat landed on the island. However, a permanent settlement was formed only in the 18th century, when the French began to develop these lands, establishing the first farms and laying the foundation for the future community.

Key Factors of Development

The formation of Rodrigues as a populated area and an important point on the map of the Indian Ocean depended on several circumstances:

• Geographical Isolation: Its remoteness from major continents and neighboring Mauritius contributed to the creation of a distinct way of life and the preservation of unique nature.
• Natural Resources: The vast lagoon surrounding the island became a source of fish and seafood, which predetermined the main occupation of local residents for centuries to come.
• Role in Navigation: The island served as a vital supply point for East India Company merchant ships, providing sailors with meat (including the famous giant tortoises in the past) and citrus fruits to combat scurvy.

Early Culture and Economy

Unlike neighboring Mauritius, where the economy was built on large-scale sugar plantations, Rodrigues developed differently. Small-scale farming, livestock breeding, and fishing prevailed here. This formed a more egalitarian society with strong community ties.

The cultural code of the region emerged from an intertwining of European traditions with the customs of settlers from Africa and Madagascar. From the early years, a distinctive Creole culture was born here, characterized by a specific dialect, music, and cuisine, which remain the island's calling card today.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1528 — Portuguese navigator Diogo Rodrigues discovers the island, which subsequently receives his name.
• 1601 — A Dutch squadron under the command of Admiral Wolfert Harmensz lands on the shore for the first time to replenish supplies.
• 1691 — François Leguat and a group of Huguenots establish a temporary settlement, leaving detailed records of the flora and fauna of that time.
• 1735 — The French begin permanent colonization of the island, organizing the export of giant tortoises to Mauritius.
• 1809 — British troops occupy Rodrigues, using it as a strategic base to capture Isle de France (Mauritius).
• 1814 — According to the Treaty of Paris, the island officially becomes a colony of Great Britain.
• 1835 — The abolition of slavery leads to the emancipation of enslaved people, who become free farmers and fishermen.
• 1901 — Rodrigues connects to the global communication network through the laying of an underwater telegraph cable between South Africa and Australia.
• 1968 — The island becomes part of the independent state of Mauritius, ceasing to be a British colony.
• 1972 — An airstrip opens in Plaine Corail, marking the beginning of scheduled air travel.
• 2001 — The National Assembly of Mauritius unanimously passes a law granting Rodrigues autonomous status.
• 2002 — The Rodrigues Regional Assembly is formed, marking the beginning of the era of local self-government.

Stages of Development and Transformation

The development of Rodrigues is a journey from an isolated colonial outpost to an autonomous region with a unique economic model. The key transformations of the island have shaped its modern appearance and way of life.

• Agrarian Restructuring after 1835

  The abolition of slavery led to a radical change in the settlement structure. Unlike in Mauritius, where former enslaved people often remained near plantations, the residents of Rodrigues moved en masse to the mountainous areas of the island's interior. This laid the foundation for the appearance of numerous scattered villages and formed a class of independent farmers and livestock breeders, which remains the basis of the local economy to this day.

• Integration into the Global Network (1901)

  The laying of the underwater cable and the opening of a station in Port Mathurin turned the island into a strategic communication hub between empires (Great Britain, Australia, and South Africa). This event provided an impetus for the development of the capital's infrastructure and the emergence of the first technical specialists among the local population.

• Transport Revolution (1972)

  The opening of the airport in Plaine Corail broke centuries of isolation, when contact with the outside world depended exclusively on infrequent ships. The launch of regular air services opened up opportunities for tourism and the export of perishable products, becoming a driver of economic growth.

• Political and Economic Autonomy (2002)

  The establishment of the Regional Assembly gave local authorities the right to independently form the budget and determine development priorities. This led to the improvement of the road network, the modernization of the water supply system, and the launch of programmes to support local culture and crafts.

• Ecological Course (2014)

  Rodrigues became a pioneer in the region by completely banning the use of plastic bags. This decision not only improved the environmental situation but also reoriented local production towards the use of natural materials (weaving baskets from pandanus leaves), strengthening the island's image as a destination for eco-tourism.

• Digital Modernization (Modern Stage)

  Connecting to the high-speed MARS fibre-optic cable opened the era of digitalization. This creates new jobs in the IT and services sector, reducing the economy's dependence on traditional agriculture and seasonal tourism.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Rodrigues is characterized by modesty and utility, dictated by island isolation and climatic conditions. You will not find skyscrapers or pompous palaces here; the island's appearance is formed by cosy low-rise buildings, harmoniously blended into the hilly landscape and coastal zone.

Colonial Style and Creole Classics

The island's administrative centre, Port Mathurin, has preserved the atmosphere of a trading outpost from past centuries. The architecture of this period represents an adaptation of European styles to the tropics.

• Era: 19th — early 20th century (British colonial period).
• Style: Colonial Creole style.
• Characteristic Features: Wooden structures, wide verandas (varangues) for natural ventilation, high pitched roofs made of corrugated iron, and carved wooden decorations (lambrequins) along the eaves.
• Landmark Object: La Résidence in Port Mathurin. This historic wooden building, which served as the residence of the island's administrators, is a fine example of colonial architecture that has preserved the spirit of the era.

Religious Monumentality

Places of worship occupy a special place in urban planning. Unlike the light residential developments, churches here were built to last, often by the efforts of the parishioners themselves.

• Era: First half of the 20th century.
• Style: Eclectic with elements of Neo-Gothic and traditional stone architecture.
• Characteristic Features: Massive walls of hewn basalt and coral blocks, lancet windows, and severity of forms.
• Landmark Object: Saint Gabriel Cathedral. Located in the centre of the island, it was considered the largest church in the Indian Ocean for a long time. Its imposing stone walls contrast sharply with the surrounding countryside.

Vernacular Architecture and Modernism

Residential development in Rodrigues has evolved from traditional huts to modern reinforced buildings capable of withstanding the elements.

• Traditional Style (Case Créole): Small, brightly painted houses, often standing on a stone plinth. Their distinguishing feature is a cheerful colour palette and simplicity of form. Such structures can still be found in remote villages.
• Modern Functionalism (from the 1980s): Due to the threat of powerful cyclones, wood and tin gave way to reinforced concrete. Modern houses are built in a style of utilitarian minimalism: flat concrete roofs, cubic forms, and reinforced structures. However, locals often soften the strict look of concrete by painting facades in traditional bright colours.

Distinguished Figures in the History of Rodrigues

The history of the island is inextricably linked with the names of discoverers, explorers, political leaders, and cultural figures who determined its destiny and preserved its unique heritage.

• Diogo Rodrigues
  Role: Portuguese navigator and explorer (16th century).
  Although he never lived on the island, it was this captain who discovered it in 1528 during an expedition to the Indian Ocean. The island was named in his honour, forever cementing the navigator's name on the world map and distinguishing this land from the Mascarene Islands group.
• François Leguat
  Role: Traveller, naturalist, and writer (17th–18th centuries).
  Leader of a group of French Huguenots who landed on the island in 1691. Leguat authored detailed memoirs which are the only reliable source of information about the pristine nature of Rodrigues. Thanks to his records and sketches, the world learned about now-extinct species, such as the Solitaire bird and the giant Rodrigues tortoises.
• Serge Clair
  Role: Political figure, "Father of Autonomy" (20th–21st centuries).
  Founder of the Organisation du Peuple de Rodrigues (OPR). He dedicated his career to fighting for the recognition of the island's distinctiveness and obtaining a special status within the Republic of Mauritius. He became the first Chief Commissioner of Rodrigues after gaining autonomy in 2002, playing a key role in the modernization of the local economy and agriculture.
• Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio (J.M.G. Le Clézio)
  Role: Writer, Nobel Prize laureate in Literature (20th–21st centuries).
  Although the writer was born in France, he has deep roots in Mauritius and Rodrigues. His grandfather spent years in the Anse aux Anglais ravine searching for pirate treasure. This family history formed the basis of the famous novel "The Prospector" and the non-fiction book "Voyage to Rodrigues", which attracted the attention of the intellectual elite of the world to the island.
• Antoinette Prudence
  Role: Public figure and politician (20th century).
  The first woman to lead the Island Council before autonomy was granted. She made a significant contribution to the fight for women's rights and the preservation of Creole traditions. Prudence actively promoted social programmes aimed at improving life in the remote villages of Rodrigues.