Chagossian communities

Overview

Chagossian Voices identifies Chagossians as people exiled from the Chagos Archipelago and their descendants, mainly living in Mauritius, Seychelles and Britain. Its account dates forced removals to 1968–1973 and traces the community’s history to enslaved African people brought to the islands in the eighteenth century. Chagossian Kreol and a distinctive community culture remain central to this account of displacement.

Founded in 2020 by community campaigners in Britain, Mauritius and Seychelles, Chagossian Voices provides a grassroots platform run by Chagossians and allies. It advocates self-determination, return, restitution, cultural continuity and well-being wherever people live. These stated aims describe the organisation’s position, not settled sovereignty, individual citizenship eligibility or a claim that one body represents every Chagossian view.

Its advocacy account documents correspondence, meetings and research shared with local government, national institutions and international bodies. It records participation at United Nations gatherings in New York and Geneva in 2023. This work shows a diaspora addressing decision-makers while maintaining community connections across different countries.

History & identity

Forced exile reshaped an existing island community rather than creating its identity.

Sources & representation

Selected native community passages retained.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Who are the Chagossians?

   Chagossian Voices

2. 02

   Who Are Chagossian Voices?

   Chagossian Voices

3. 03

   Advocacy

   Chagossian Voices

Language & cultural connections

Source-supported language and cultural connections have not yet been compiled for this profile.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Community institutional accountWho are the Chagossians?Research access: 2026-10-11
2. Community institutional accountWho Are Chagossian Voices?Research access: 2026-10-11
3. Community institutional accountAdvocacyResearch access: 2026-10-11

Image credits

AI concept of Chagossian diaspora connections and community advocacy.

Setting, tools and layout imagined; not ethnographic evidence.