Chagossians facts for kids
The Chagossians are a group of people who used to live on the Chagos Islands. They are also called Îlois or Chagos Islanders. Their families came from Africa, India, and Malaysia. They lived on islands like Diego Garcia, Peros Banhos, and the Salomon island chain.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the British government made them leave their homes. This happened because the United States government wanted to build a military base on Diego Garcia. Most Chagossians now live in Mauritius and the United Kingdom. No Chagossians live on the Chagos Islands today. The military base there is called Camp Justice.
Contents
Who are the Chagossians?
The Chagossians are mostly descended from people from Africa. Many came from Madagascar, Mozambique, and Mauritius. They also have a lot of family history from India and Malaysia.
How They Came to the Islands
The French brought some people to the Chagos Islands in 1786. They came from Mauritius as slaves. Later, in the 1800s, others arrived. These people worked as fishermen, farmers, and on coconut plantations.
Chagossian Language
The Chagossians speak a language called Chagossian Creole. It is a creole language based on French. It also has words from different African and Asian languages.
Where the Language is Spoken
Chagossian Creole is part of the Bourbonnais Creole language family. Some descendants still speak it in Mauritius and Seychelles. Chagossian people living in the UK usually speak English.
Forced Removal from Their Homes
The Chagossians were forced to leave their homes. This was a difficult time for them. The British government moved them off the islands. This was done so the United States could build a large military base.
The UN Resolution
On May 22, 2019, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution. This resolution asked the United Kingdom to give the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius. They were given six months to do this.
Images for kids
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Abandoned church at Boddam Island, Salomon Atoll.
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Diplomatic cable from Patrick Wright, Baron Wright of Richmond signed by D. A. Greenhill, dated August 24, 1966.
See also
In Spanish: Pueblo chagosiano para niños
