Hahime Choisane
Founding Father
of Kwan Tee Pagoda
The pagoda was built by Hahime Choissane. and his coterie was inaugurated on 29 January 1842 as the Cohan Tai Biou or Kwan Tee. Hahime, the Kapitan retreated with his followers into a secret society called the Zhongyitang association grouped around the Kwan Tee pagoda.
The cult of Kwan Tee is associated with the god of wealth - Choisan. Kwan Tee or Guan Di is also the god of war and the righteousness and the benefactor. There are smaller altars inside the pagoda like Ma Chou protector of sailors and Kwan Yin, giver of Children. There is also an ancestor cult altar. The oldest tablet in the pagoda was affixed there circa 1841 and was restored in 1890. There is also a bell which dates back from 1871. Another tablet was offered in 1868 by the disciples of the Zhongyitang association which is believed to have been created by Hahime Choissane.
The red, green and yellow are the predominant colours in the Chinese pagoda: they represent happiness, prosperity and purity.
Each year, the 24th day of the sixth lunar month, Guan Di's birthday is celebrated. "This celebration is known as" Fête Mine", an important event in the city of Port Louis. That day, offerings are made to the highest rank of warrior deity. After a religious ceremony, fried dishes noodles are distributed to the guests.
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