Le Morne Brabant – Freedom Came at the Highest Price
- Travelograph Partsunknown
- Aug 12
- 3 min read
This is the story of a mountain. But hidden in its rocky heart lies a tale of human struggle, sacrifice, and an unshakable longing for freedom.
The year was 1835. Slavery was still legal in many parts of the world. For centuries, the so-called “civilized” West had used human beings as property. In the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Africa, lay a small island—Mauritius.
Today, Mauritius is an independent nation, but in the 18th and 19th centuries, it passed from French to British colonial rule. African slaves and Indian indentured laborers were brought here to work on sugarcane plantations, the backbone of the island’s economy.
One mountain in Mauritius still bears the scars of that brutal past—Le Morne Brabant, a towering, steep cliff rising from the island’s southwest coast.
In 1835, when the British abolished slavery in their colonies, many enslaved people fled their plantations in search of freedom. Some sought refuge on the remote, inaccessible summit of Le Morne Brabant. But when British forces climbed the mountain to inform them of their liberation, the message was tragically misunderstood.
Believing they were about to be captured and punished, many leapt from the cliffs to their deaths. For them, freedom came not through life, but through the finality of death—a heartbreaking end to a lifetime of bondage. Perhaps in that brief, fatal moment, they tasted the only freedom they had ever known.
Today, the world remembers their sacrifice. Every year, on December 2nd, the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is observed. In 2008, UNESCO declared Le Morne Brabant a World Heritage Site, preserving this place of sorrow and remembrance. Now, the mountain stands quietly, gazing over turquoise seas and miles of soft white beaches. Luxury resorts line its shores, and Mauritius’ economy thrives on tourism and agriculture.
My wife Sarmin and I have been traveling together for 17 years, visiting 126 countries. We arrived in Mauritius after exploring Seychelles, another gem of the Indian Ocean. At the airport, we met our driver, Noor, who drove us the 90 minutes to our resort while sharing stories of Mauritian life.
Over 70% of the population here are of Indian descent, descendants of those brought as laborers during colonial times. Walking through the streets, it sometimes feels as though you’ve stepped into a corner of India—its culture, religion, and traditions deeply woven into everyday life.
We stayed at Beachcomber Dinarobin Resort, nestled at the base of Le Morne Brabant. September is low season, so the beaches were blissfully quiet. Miles of powdery sand stretched ahead, perfect for long walks before returning to the resort.
Having stayed in countless hotels and resorts worldwide, we know good service when we see it. Here, check-in and restaurant service initially felt underwhelming. That night, I left a candid review on Google and TripAdvisor.
By morning, the staff were eager to make amends. The Guest Relations Manager personally apologized and asked if we would meet the resort manager. During our conversation, she took notes as I shared both feedback and suggestions.
Though we were leaving that day, the resort surprised us by waiving all charges for meals and extras during our stay—a generous gesture that spoke volumes about their commitment to guest satisfaction.
Mauritius was just one stop in our African travels. Out of the continent’s 54 nations, we’ve visited only 15 so far. Soon, we’ll be heading to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. On this trip alone, before arriving here, we explored Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, and the Seychelles.
As we drove toward the airport for our long journey home—two flights and nearly 36 hours of travel—I looked back at Le Morne Brabant, standing silent and proud. A beautiful island paradise now, yet forever marked by a past where freedom was worth everything, even life itself.
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