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IN BRIEF
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In the heart of Mamoudzou, on the Place de la République, the Tourism Fair offers, from September 12 to 14, a vibrant scene where heritage, craftsmanship, and creativity intersect. Two women particularly shine in this event: Taambati Abdou, a memory bearer dedicated to preserving the traditions of Mayotte, and Saoudat Ousseni, founder of “Les fleurs d’Imane 101”, whose bouquets bring joy to daily life. Through workshops, stories of transmission, and inspiring know-how, this meeting highlights the energy of a territory with deep cultural roots and promising tourist horizons.
In the hustle and bustle of the booths, the colors of the fabrics, the scents of spices, and the refinement of embroidery tell the soul of Mayotte. The event, set up for a few days on the Place de la République, brings together artisans and entrepreneurs who reinvent a heritage while preserving it. Between demonstrations, exchanges, and sales, the public discovers a sensitive panorama of Mahoran know-how, where hand and memory engage in dialogue continuously.
Taambati Abdou, the living memory of Mahoran heritage
A key figure in the territory, Taambati Abdou dedicates her energy to keeping alive the traditions that shape the island’s identity: the msindzano and its beauty gestures, the jasmine necklaces and their fragrances, the transmission cuisine, the craftsmanship and its learning times. Returning to Mayotte in the mid-1980s, she observes that women’s talents, although present, are little valued beyond the family sphere.
From this observation arises a patient and determined approach: to meet, convince, gather. From village to village, she identifies women skilled in sewing, embroidery, and spice preparation, inviting them to unite. In Bouéni and later in Mbouanatsa, a collective is established, and an artisan house is born, still active today. Transmission becomes a lever for autonomy: trainers emerge, associations and businesses are created, and recognition of Mahoran heritage progresses, driven by the rigor of gestures and the pride in sharing them.
At the Fair, her booth attracts attention with its attention to detail and the humility of the message: to preserve, document, transmit, so that these skills do not fade away. She illustrates the key role of cultural bearers, capable of articulating heritage and contemporary expectations, in a dynamic where each piece tells a collective story.
Saoudat Ousseni and “Les fleurs d’Imane 101”, emotion in a bouquet
A few aisles further, the gaze settles on an explosion of colors: at “Les fleurs d’Imane 101”, Saoudat Ousseni composes bouquets that are both elegant and rooted in the territory. The adventure began in 2020, as a continuation of a life spent cultivating with family. From this bond to the land arises the desire to share the beauty of flowers with as many people as possible, by offering carefully crafted and accessible creations.
Her activity combines local production with targeted importation of varieties that do not grow in Mayotte, such as lilies or roses. Each bouquet features foliage from the family plantation in Kawéni, a botanical signature that connects the floral arrangement to the Mahoran landscape. The clientele is diverse: while women are numerous, men also show interest for weddings, anniversaries, and other events.
Beyond aesthetics, Saoudat embraces a sensitive mission: to bring comfort and spread a bit of happiness through deliveries. Each composition becomes a message, a way to soften daily life and celebrate significant moments. Here, entrepreneurship marries emotion, linking the artisanal gesture to the expectations of those who give and receive.
Mayotte, between traditions and tourist horizons
This Fair is part of a broader narrative: that of a French island with turquoise lagoons, fragile biodiversity, and vibrant rites. To prepare for a visit and better understand the beauty and uniqueness of the territory, explore an immersion in a French island with turquoise lagoons where the sea, cultures, and encounters weave a journey in its own right.
The Mahoran tourist sector works with natural elements and local realities. Weather phenomena, such as the chido wind, can influence water activities and scheduling. Useful insights are provided on the effects of the chido wind on the tourist industry in Mayotte, to plan experiences at the right time and safely.
To follow the life of the event and its highlights, a focus returns to the closing of the Tourism Fair, useful for understanding the trends and significant initiatives of this edition. Visitors planning their discoveries according to school holidays can also consult the 2025-2026 school holiday calendar (zones A, B, C), handy for organizing a trip to Mamoudzou or extending the getaway to the rest of the archipelago.
Practical information and inspirations
Held from September 12 to 14 on the Place de la République in Mamoudzou, the Fair features a program conducive to meetings with artisans and creators. Visitors leave with meaningful objects, addresses to share, and a desire to explore other villages and support local initiatives such as the artisan house in Mbouanatsa or the plantation in Kawéni.
Finally, to keep in touch with your loved ones, especially during festivities and large gatherings, some practical tips facilitate calls and messages to overseas: check the best times to reach your relatives on the occasion of New Year’s Eve. Between heritage, creativity, and hospitality, Mayotte paints the portrait of a destination where every meeting becomes a promise of discovery.
