When Mauritius prepared to lower the Union Jack and raise its new quadricolour on 12 March 1968 at the Champ de Mars, it also required a song that would represent its people and their aspirations. To mark this historic moment, the government launched a public competition for the lyrics of the national anthem. The winning entry came from the Mauritian poet Jean-Georges Prosper, later honoured with the title of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). According to the Government of Mauritius, Prosper’s words were then set to music by Philippe Gentil, a longtime musician of the Mauritius Police Band, who was also later awarded an MBE.
Jean-Georges Prosper’s background helps to explain the character of the anthem. Born in 1933, he studied at the Sorbonne in Paris before returning to Mauritius, where he became a leading figure in Francophone literature on the island. His poem was written in English, which had been chosen as the official language for state matters. The anthem highlights values of unity, peace, justice, and liberty, reflecting both the hopes of the people and the vision of a newly independent nation.
Philippe Gentil (1928–2021) composed the melody that carries Prosper’s words. He served in the Mauritius Police Band for more than three decades, contributing greatly to the country’s musical life. His composition gave the anthem a solemn yet uplifting tone, suitable for national occasions.
The anthem was first performed publicly on Independence Day in 1968. Historical accounts describe the ceremony at the Champ de Mars, where Prime Minister Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and the British Governor, Sir John Shaw Rennie, were present. As the new flag was raised by Inspector Palmyre, the anthem was performed for the first time. Reports recall that schoolchildren, dressed in the national colours, sang the anthem, creating an image that has become part of the nation’s collective memory.
Unlike several other former colonies that marked independence at midnight, Mauritius chose to hold the official ceremony at noon. This decision was made following security concerns linked to civil unrest earlier in the year. The daytime event ensured a peaceful transition and allowed the public to share in the celebrations under clear skies.
Today, the anthem is officially known as Motherland. The Government of Mauritius continues to publish the authorised text and musical score, ensuring its use in schools and at national events. More than half a century later, the anthem still expresses the ideals that guided Mauritius at the dawn of independence, unity, dignity, and pride in a common homeland.
