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Indians in Réunion
Total population
	220,000
Regions with significant populations
	St André, St Denis, St Louis
Languages
	French, English, Réunion Creole, Tamil, Telugu
Religion
	Majority Hinduism; Minority Pentecostalism, Catholicism, Islam
Related ethnic groups
	Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin, Malbars, Zarabes, Tamils, Desi, Indian diaspora in France

Indians in Réunion are people of Indian origin in Réunion. They form two ethnic groups on the island, Malbars (Tamils) and Zarabes (Muslims).

Origins

Originally brought in as indentured laborers, as in Mauritius, they were mostly of South Indian Tamil^[2] origin. The second and smallest group were Muslims (from North, South and West India, mainly from the modern day region of Gujarat.) There were also later emigrants, mostly Hindu traders and businessmen. In Réunion, Indians from South India, often Hindu, are known as Malbars and Muslim Indians from North and West India are known as Zarabes.

Today

Indo-Réunionnais people have affected the culture of Réunion, bringing Indian cuisine as well as flora and fauna to the island. The Indo-Réunionnais Hindus have mainly assimilated with other ethnicities on the island.

Malbars

Originally brought in as indentured labourers as in Mauritius, they were mostly from South Indian Tamil.^[2] Tamils in Reunion have recently exhibited the desire to learn their ancestors' culture and have started studying their language and religions, especially from Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.^[2] They also want to translate their newly acquired civic and political rights into a gradual and increasing participation in local and other elections. Notable contributors include:

Mr Jean-Paul Virapoullé, Mayor of Saint-André (1972-2008 and since 2014), Deputy of the National Assembly (1986-1997), Senator (2001-2011) and First Vice President of the General Council of Reunion.
Mrs Nadia Ramassamy, Deputy of the National Assembly since 2017, previously Vice President of the General Council.
Mr Saminadin Axel Kichenin, Mayor of Sainte-Marie (1983-1990), Vice President of the General Council.
Mrs Denise Nillameyom, Deputy Mayor of Le Tampon.

Zarabes

Zarabes is the name given to the Muslim community of Réunion. The Muslims migrated to Réunion in mid-nineteenth century. Zarabes are mostly South Asian and specifically from the modern state Gujarat in India.^{[citation needed]}

Demographic factors

Many are Christians and Hindus, including some who are nominally Christian but include Hindu practises.^[3] There is a significant Muslim minority known as Zarabes. Others are Sikh, Baháʼí or non-religious. Hare Krishna is also practised in Réunion. They speak Réunion Creole and French. There are a handful of schools where Indian languages such as Tamil may be studied as a third or fourth language.

References

^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-08-21. Retrieved 2008-01-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ ^a ^b ^c "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-08-21. Retrieved 2008-01-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ Ghasarian, Christian (1997). "We Have the Best Gods! The Encounter Between Hinduism and Christianity in La Réunion". African and Asian Studies. 32 (3): 286–295. doi:10.1163/156852197X00079.