Whylock Pendavis, Building a Ghoon for Yamsé Muslim Festival, Mauritius, 1800s, Paper

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An original 1880s watercolour painting – Whylock Pendavis, Building a Ghoon for Yamsé Muslim Festival, Mauritius.An interesting late 19th-century view … Read more An original 1880s watercolour painting – Whylock Pendavis, Building a Ghoon for Yamsé Muslim Festival, Mauritius.An interesting late 19th-century view on the island of Mauritius by Whylock Pendavis (1852–1924), who served as Archdeacon of Mauritius at the beginning of the 20th century. His earlier roles with the Christian Mission on the island included chaplain at St John's Church in Moka in the 1880s and Civil and Military Chaplain at Port Louis in the 1890s.Mauritius was, at this time, under British rule, having been captured in 1810 by British forces and wrested from the French during the Napoleonic Wars.Whylock Pendavis evidently had a lively mind and talented hand. Here he shows men building a vividly coloured and richly decorated 'Ghoon' for the Yamsé festival, observed by Shiite muslims in Port Louis to commemorate the martyrdom of Hussain. The Muslim population of Mauritius, the third largest after Hindu and Christian, were predominantly indentured labourers brought from India by the British to work on the sugar plantations. There were also Muslim traders and 'lascars', sailors brought by the French to help build the harbour at Port Louis.This painting forms part of a fascinating collection of works by Pendavis depicting the landscapes, peoples and festivities of Mauritius in the 19th century.There is an additional painting on the verso of the paper depicting a coastal settlement on the island.On heavy paper. Dimensions: Height: 15.1cm (5.94") Width: 23.6cm (9.29")Presented: Unframed.Medium: WatercolourAge: Late 19th-centurySigned: No.Inscribed: Inscribed lower left.Dated: --Condition: In good condition for its age. The picture may have minor imperfections such as slight marks, toning, foxing, creasing or pinholes, commensurate with age. Please see photos for detail. See less