About Mayotte > People and Culture

During the past 35 years, Mayotte 's population has increased fivefold reaching 160 265 inhabitants in 2002. The average density of the Archipelago is 428 inhabitants per square km, mostly concentrated around Mamoudzou, the chief town of the department which is populated by more than 45 000 people, that is 28 % of the total population. The high birth rate coupled with immigration from neighbouring islands is the cause of this population growth. Even if there is a tendency towards a decrease in birth rate, it is still high with an average of 5 children/woman compared to 1,7 children/woman in France .

The Mahoris, born from various migrations are mostly Sunnite Muslims divided in two big ethnical groups - Malagasy origins in the south and west of the island speaking Shibushi and more African in the north where the language spoken is Shimaori, a by-product of Swahili. Mahori society is traditionally attached to its village with the Mosque at the centre.

Mayotte is a multi-faced society enriched by African, Persian, oriental, Malagasy, European and Arabian cultures and gradually a particular form of Islam developed on the small island. Religion is omnipresent in daily life and the Mahori society in spite of being a good blend of modernity and tradition nevertheless remains faithful to religious customs under the control of the "Cadis " who are religious officials..