(Ecofin Agency) - Le Morne Brabant, a basaltic mountain rising 556 meters in the southwest of Mauritius, overlooks a landscape of striking natural beauty. More than a scenic landmark, it is a powerful symbol of the island’s history of resistance to slavery.

During the 17th to 19th centuries, under French and then British colonial rule, Mauritius was a key stop along slave trade routes. Many Africans and Malagasy were brought to the island to work on sugar plantations. Le Morne became a sanctuary for escaped slaves, known as "marrons," who took refuge in its caves and forests, forming free communities hidden by the mountain’s steep terrain and frequent summit mists.

A tragic legend marks the mountain's legacy: in 1835, as slavery was officially abolished, a group of soldiers reportedly climbed the mountain to deliver the news. Fearing recapture, some fugitives are said to have leapt to their deaths, choosing freedom over the threat of bondage. This act became a lasting symbol of ultimate sacrifice.

For years, this story was neglected in official narratives, but grassroots advocacy—especially by descendants of slaves—led to greater recognition. In 2008, UNESCO inscribed the "Cultural Landscape of Le Morne" on its World Heritage List, honoring the site as a universal symbol of suffering and freedom. Today, Le Morne is a popular hiking and commemorative site, particularly on February 1st, the national day marking the abolition of slavery.

Beyond its historical weight, Le Morne also features a stunning natural illusion: the famous "underwater waterfall." Visible from the air, this effect is created by sand and silt moving off the edge of the shallow ocean shelf, producing the appearance of a vast underwater cascade plunging into the deep sea. Le Morne Brabant thus remains a unique site, where natural wonder and human memory intertwine to tell a story of resilience, dignity, and hope.