Understand

Mayotte, along with the other islands of the Comoros group, became a part of France in 1843. While the rest of the Comoros voted for independence in the 1970s, Mayotte chose to remain a French "collective." In a significant decision, the island voted overwhelmingly (95.2%) in March 2009 to become France's 101st "departement," effective from 2011. Mayotte has a majority Muslim population of 95%, and traditional Muslim customs, such as polygamy, Islamic-inspired law, and male dominance were once prevalent. However, these practices were reversed in accordance with French law in 2011. It is worth noting that a substantial portion of the island's population consists of unauthorized immigrants from neighboring Comoros.

Map & Climate

Popular Foods

The first popular French dish is Ratatouille, a colorful vegetable stew traditionally made with eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and seasoned with herbs such as thyme and basil. This hearty, non-meat dish is typically served alongside grilled meats or fish.

Another famous French dish is Coq au Vin, a braised chicken dish that originated in Burgundy. It involves marinating chicken pieces in red wine with mushrooms, bacon, onions, and garlic before slow-cooking them until tender and flavorful. The final dish is often garnished with parsley and served with potatoes, noodles, or bread.

Lastly, the iconic French dish, Croissants, are flaky, buttery pastries made from layers of laminated dough, which are then curved into a crescent shape and traditionally served for breakfast or as an afternoon snack. Although they are not typically a savory or sweet dish, croissants can be filled with various ingredients like ham and cheese (called a jambon-beurre) or almond paste and sugar (an almond croissant).

Historical Appearance

Traditional Male Clothing

Traditional Female Clothing