The world’s fourth largest island after Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo, Madagascar is a land of dramatic contrasts and one which has long been renowned for its exceptionally diverse landscapes, flora and fauna, as well as intriguing culture of its people, the world’s only Afro-Asian nation. Often referred to as the great Red Island because of its red clay soil, Madagascar splintered off from the supercontinent Gondwana between 120 and 165 million years ago, creating a geographic isolation from Africa and India which facilitated the gentle evolution of its animals and plants in the protective environment, largely free from predators. The result was a peculiar assemblage of life forms, including several species of pygmy hippopotamus, lemurs up to the size of female gorilla, and various elephant birds, one of which stood 3m and weighted 450-500kg approximately.
Madagascar was one of the last habitable landmasses to have been settled by man, with most authorities agreeing that the first settlers arrived on outrigger canoes from Polynesia, Melanesia and Indonesia about 2000 years ago. The original inhabitants, the Vazimba, were likely absorbed into the contemporary tribes. Where Indonesian influence is noticeable is the use of agricultural techniques like rice cultivation, modes of transport such as “balancier pirogue” and four-cornered dwellings (an Asian architectural style which predominates over round huts in Africa). Later influences came from Africa and from Arab traders sailing south from East Africa in search of convenient bases for the slave trade.

Europe discovered Madagascar on 10 August 1500, when the Portuguese sailor Diego Dias inadvertently ended up on Madagascar’s coats. It was only when he was on his way back home that he realized that the place where he landed was not Africa, and he names the landmass St Laurent. Though frequently suppressed by the French, Malagasy nationalism grew under colonial rule, until in the 1940s and 1950s when there was marked discontent among the Malagasy towards the French. Demands for independence grew after World War II. A referendum was held in 1958 and on 26 June 1960 the country gained independence. The First Republic, the Republique Malgache, had Philibert Tsiranana as its president (1960-72), although the French still ruled in practice. The Second Republic of Madagascar had two presidents: the first was Richard Ratsimandrava and Admiral Didier Ratsiraka. In 1991, after 16 years of dictatorship, there was a series of strikes which brought the Malagasy economy to a virtual standstill. On February 1993 Professor Albert Zafy, a surgeon, became president of the Third Republic, Republic de Madagascar. In 1996 Prof Zafy was removed from office and Didier Ratsiraka reinstated as president for another 5 years. December 2001 elections would eventually bring the country to a spectacular halt – supporters of two leading candidates – Ratsiraka and the Mayor of Antananarivo, Marc Ravalomanana – clashed to the point of civil arrest. After recount of the votes Ravalomanana was inaugurated as president on May 2002. Ratsiraka however refused to step down and moved to Toamasina (for a brief period Madagascar had two presidents and two capitals). Marc Ravalomanana – the first Merina ever to be elected president – was re-elected for a second, 5-year term after a win in December 2006.
Potentially wealthy, Madagascar is currently one of the world’s poorest countries following economic decline during Retsiraka era. About 85% of Madagascar 19 M population lives in rural areas – agriculture has always been a mainstay of the economy. Rice, the staple diet, accounts for about half of the country’s agricultural output, with cassava, sugar, maize and coffee being the significant crops. Cloves, cotton, tobacco and tropical fruits (notably lychees) are grown for export. Madagascar used to be the world’s largest producer of vanilla, accounting for half of the international export (mainly used by Coca Cola). Currently the main exports include vanilla, seafood, cloves, petroleum products, chromium, fabrics and coffee.
Malagasy social life is centred around “fihavanana”, a philosophy based on respect of family links and tradition, altruism, tolerance and blessing from the ancestors (razana). Various rites or events mark the Malagasy path, from birth to physical death and beyond. These include “famorana” (circumcision), “vodiondry” (the engagement ceremonial), and “famadihana” (exhumation or second burial).

MAP of MADAGASCAR