A Brief History of Madagascar

Archaeologists estimated that the first human settlers of Madagascar existed between 200 and 500 A.D., when seafarers from Southeast Asia (probably from Borneo or the southern Celebes) arrived in outrigger sailing canoes. In 7th century, the written history called sorabe began when Arab Muslims established trading posts along the northwest coast.

A Portuguese ship sighted the island and sailed along the coast in 1500. Diogo Dias sighted the island after his ship separated from a fleet going to India. He named the island as “Sao Lourenco” (St. Lawrence) and continued trading with the islanders. Word of the Portuguese discovery spread to France and England, and both countries rushed to establish settlements on the island.

In 1794, King Andrianampoinimerina managed to unite the various tribes of Madagascar, forming a single kingdom. He established the Merina Kingdom. By 1810, he was succeeded by his son, King Radama I. He extended the Merina Kingdom over the major portions of the island especially over the Betsimisaraka and the south. King Radama I welcomed and befriended major European countries and allowed them to assist in the modernization of the kingdom and to further his conquests. Missionaries, led by David Jones, introduced the Roman alphabet and Christianity to Radama’s subject. Queen Ranavalona, wife of Radama I, took over the throne after the King Radama died in 1828. She forced the missionaries out of Madagascar.

In 1883, the French attacked Madagascar and became a French protectorate for almost 3 years of Warfare. Madagascar became a full-pledged French colony after a massive invasion by French forces in 1895. The monarchy was abolished and French became the official language. In 1958, the French elected a new president, Charles De Gaulle. The president immediately granted Madagascar its independence.