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Anosy is one of the 22 regions of Madagascar in the south-east of the country. It is located on the eastern side of what used to be Province of Tulear. The name "Anosy" means "island(s)" in Malagasy.
Due to a strategic main searoute running along its coast, Anosy has been an osmotic crossroads for Malagasy and the rest of the world over the last 500 years. In the 1500s it served as a supplying area for European ships sailing to and from the Indies, and in the mid-1600s it was the location of an early French colonial settlement in the Indian Ocean. The region was part of the Merina Kingdom for much of the 1800s and part of the French colony of Madagascar from the late-1800s to 1960.
Its exports have included human slaves (shipped to Mascarene Islands and the United States in the 1700s), live cattle (exported to Réunion for almost 300 years), sisal, natural rubber, Rosy Periwinkle, graphite, uranothorite, lobster, sapphires, and, in the last five years, ilmenite. Due to its biodiversity and natural beauty, efforts commenced in the 1980s to promote environmental conservation and tourism in the region.
Anosy is a region in southeastern Madagascar. It borders Androy region in the west, Atsimo-Andrefana in the northwest, Ihorombe in the north and Atsimo-Atsinanana in the northeast. This region is 25,731 km2 (9,935 sq mi),[1] about the size of the US State of Vermont, the island of Cyprus or the nation of Israel, running from approximately Manantenina in the northeast corner of the region, and west to Ranomafana and the Mandrare river. The distance from Manantenina at the northern edge of Anosy to the Mandrare river at the south is almost 150 km. "Anosy" means "island" or "islands" in Malagasy. Possibly, Anosy was named after the island in the Fanjahira (now named Efaho) river where the Zafiraminia first settled when they arrived in this region in the 16th century. Another theory is that the name means "land of the islands" because of the large amount of water in this region. During the rainy season, the Efaho valley floods, creating many temporary islands.
Tôlanaro, located 1,122 km south of Antananarivo, is the capital and the overall population of Anosy, primarily the Antanosy, was estimated to be 671,805 in 2013.[2] At present it is doubling roughly every 15 years. In terms of people per square kilometer, this varies from 52 in the Tôlanaro District, 21 in the Amboasary Atsimo District, and only 14 in the Betroka District. There are also Antandroy living in the region, especially in the Tôlanaro District and in the Amboasary-Sud District, and Malagasy from other parts of the island who live and work in Anosy. The Betroka District also has Bara people, though they primarily live in the rural part of the district.
While the region has been a source of a wide variety of valuable exports for more than 100 years, some of them quite valuable, most of the people who live in this region are very poor, with an estimated GDP in 2004 of just $180, when the national average was @210. Four out of five (80%) of its inhabitants don't have access to clean water, one in six suffer from serious respiratory illnesses and literacy is less than 20% and 65% of the watershed slopes are highly degraded.[3]
Anosy region is divided into three districts, which are sub-divided into 64 communes.
Subsistence farming is the primary source of income of most people living in Anosy, with rice being the crop and food of choice. Cassava is a very important food crop for those who can't afford rice year round as their staple food, which is most of the Malagasy living in this region. Yields for most crops are low, primarily due to the traditional methods of farming.
The three major cash crops in the Anosy region are coffee (primarily from Ranomafana area), Periwinkle (southwestern coast of Anosy and coast of Androy) and sisal (Amboasary area).
In the parts of Anosy which receive enough rainfall, rice is the primary food crop, though in most cases only one crop per year is grown. Secondary food crops:
As of 1997–98, literacy at the Primary level in Anosy was 22% for boys, 23% for girls. Literacy is less than 20% in some of Anosy's rural areas.
As of 1997–98, in terms of Public Schools, in the Tolagnaro area there are 109 Primary schools, with an average of 42 students per teacher. There are 5 CEGs and 1 Lycee. The Amboasary region has an additional 73 Primary schools, 4 CEGs, but no Lycees. In terms of private schools, the Tolagnaro region has 33 Primary schools, with an average of 50 students per teacher. There are 3 Secondary (1st cycle) and 3 Secondary (2nd cycle) schools. Amboasary has 30 Primary schools, but just 1 Secondary school (1st cycle). Unfortunately, some of the Primary Schools in rural Anosy are in such poor state of repair they've been closed, with the nearest operating school up to 20 km away. One of the organizations working to increase the number of schools in this area, with the support of external funding, is Azafady. For an explanation of a school they've built in the Mahatalaky area with the support of the Peretti Foundation, see.[13] For additional information and a very interesting collection of pictures about primary schools in the Anosy region, see.[14]
[15][16][17]
[4][18][19][20] Income from fishing estimated at between 3,000 to 5,000 Malagasy Ariary (MGA) in 2010, which was then US$1.50-2.50.
The information in this section is primarily from Vincelette et al. (2008)[21] and is primarily about the immediate Tolagnaro region. For additional information see[22][23][24][25]
The eastern and southern boundary of Anosy is the Indian Ocean. Along the ocean are coastal lagoons and then up to 50 or more km of sandy, rolling coastal hills that butt up against the Vohimena mountains. Rainfall is highest on the eastern side of the mountains and decreases as one moves west.
The Vohimena mountains dominate the Tolagnaro region. They terminate just outside of Tolagnaro at Bezavona (Pic St. Louis) which is 529 m. Bedrock inland is granite. At Point Evatraha and near Mandena it is cordierite gneiss. There is an external barrier dune complex along the coast which runs north, up the entire east coast. Between northern Mandena north to Manafiafy (Saint Luce), there are heavy mineral deposits of ilmenite, zircon, rutile and monazite, with these mineralized sands averaging 18 m. thick in the Mandena region. There are also similar deposits at the south end of Petriky (west of Vinanibe).
The 3 primary hydrologic drainage areas in Anosy are the Mountain Zone (30+% of the total catchment area), with steep slopes causing rapid, high runoff and clearly defined rivers; the Bedrock Plain which has rolling hills with low relief and several large rivers and the Coastal Sands, which can be found in bays ranging in size from more than 20 to only a few km2. These bays are clearly defined and are cut by meandering rivers. Along what are generally coastal dunes at ocean's edge are ribbon lakes from which water discharges into the ocean either through seepage or channels which cut through the dunes. These can be further subdivided into the Andriambe, Ebakika, Efaho, Fanjahira, Lakandava, Lanirano, Manampanihy, Mandromodromotra, Vatomena, Vatomirindry and Vatorendrika basins.
There are 3 major rivers in southern Anosy : the Mandrare along the southern border, the Efaho (formerly called the Fanjahira) just west of Tolagnaro and the Manampanihy which drains the Ranomafana valley, emptying into the ocean at Manantenina.[22] Other rivers in the Anosy region include the Isoanala, Manambolo, Mangoky, Menarandra and Isoanala.
Health is a challenge in Anosy, especially for children, as up to 4 in 10 in rural areas die before the age of 5. This is in part because 80% of the population doesn't have access to clean water.
[32]
[33][34][35]
Because of the Europeans which began visiting the Anosy region over 500 years ago, there is a long history of maps of this area.
NGA Chart 61522: Faradofay (Fort Dauphin) and Approaches[36] There are several different maps of the Anosy area, several of them available online courtesy of the University of Texas' (Austin) map collection.[37][38][39] In terms of maps of Anosy for sale in Madagascar, see FTM's website[40] including maps No. 12 Tolanaro (eastern coast north of Tolagnaro) and No. 11 Ampanihy (which is actually a map of southern Madagascar, from Tolagnaro across to Toliary). These are a part of their collection of 12 Maps of Madagascar. They also have a map of Southern Madagascar across to Toliary. In addition there is a recent map of Tolagnaro[41] as well as one of the Andohahela National Park.[42]
In terms of much older, European maps of the area which are online, for Fort Dauphin, see Flacourt (mid-1650s).[43] For a map of the Anosy region done at the same time, see Flacourt (1656).[44] For Flacourt's map of the community at Tranovato see[45]
For a map of the coastline of eastern Madagascar (Mananjary south to Fort Dauphin), with detail about both the Fort Dauphin harbor as well as St. Luce (Manafiafy), see.[46][47] For a map of concessions in the Fort Dauphin area see [48] For several other maps of the Fort Dauphin bay, see[49]
For an in-depth description of sailing directions (landmarks visible from the ocean for various places to harbor in Anosy), see Great Britain Hydrographic Department. (1891).[50]
Mining has been occurring in Anosy for at least the last 100 years as Mica has been an export since the early 1900s, Uranothorianite was mined from the 1950s to the mid-1960s, for several years being Madagascar's second most valuable export. Sapphires briefly became a major export in the early- to mid-1990s and today QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM), which is 80 percent Rio Tinto and 20 percent Malagasy government) is exporting 750,000 tons per year of Ilmenite, along with 40,000 tons per year of Rutile and Zircon. There are also major deposits of bauxite and prospecting is ongoing for uranium as well as a variety of rare earth minerals.[51][52][53]
While quite a bit of mining has been done in Anosy over the last 60 years, a paraphrased translation of a 2002 post in Malagasy on the internet[54] shared skepticism of the benefits to Malagasy of the mining which has occurred in Anosy to date:
Is Manantenina, the town near the major Bauxite deposit in Anosy, progressing today? How many large stone houses are left in Ambatomika where Uranium was mined? How many schools were built in Sarisambo with funds from the Monazite mined there? What is left in Andranodambo where Sapphires were mined? Holes are the only souvenirs left here. What are the benefits left in the Tranomaro area where Mica was [and continues to be] mined?"
Bauxite is an aluminium ore which is the main source of Aluminium. There are an estimated 100 million tons of bauxite near Manantenina where it has been found over a 40km2 area. While this deposit has been studied for the last 45 years and in 2008 Rio Tinto indicated both a mine and refinery were "development projects," it is not yet being mined, due in large part due to the lack of infrastructure in this part of Madagascar (100 km north of Tolagnaro).[55][56][57][58]
Ilmenite is mined for Titanium Dioxide production, which, when finely ground, is a bright white powder which is widely used as a base pigment in paint, paper and plastics.
Since 2009, 750,000 tons per year of Ilmenite is being exported by QMM to Canada, with a potential for this to grow to 2 million tons per year. (In addition, 25,000 tons per year of Zircon and 15,000 tons per year of Rutile is also being produced as part of their Ilmenite mining—see below). The estimated life of this mine is 40 years. Almost $1 billion was spent developing this mine, including a new harbor at Port Ehoala.[59] per Book chapters, News reports, Research studies, etc.)[60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73]
per the Malagasy government[74]
per various NGOs[75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88]
per Rio Tinto/QMM & SODEXHO[89][90][91][92][93]
per the GIZ & World Bank[94][95][96][97]
Mica's value is based on its unique physical properties. It has a crystalline structure which forms layers which can be split (delaminated) into very thin sheets (0.125 to 0.025 mm. or thinner), while remaining stable when exposed to electricity). This gives it superior electrical properties as an insulator and a dielectric, as it can support an electrostatic field while dissipating minimal energy in the form of heat. It also has a high dielectric breakdown and is resistant to corona discharge. It is also stable when exposed to light, moisture and extreme temperatures. Mica is also chemically inert, dielectric, elastic, flexible, hydrophilic, insulating, lightweight, platy, reflective, refractive, resilient, and ranges in opacity from transparent to opaque.
The two commercially important micas, used in a variety of applications, are Muscovite, the principal mica used by the electrical industry, thermally stable to 500 °C, is used in high frequency and radio frequency capacitors. The second is Phlogopite, which remains stable up to 900 °C and is used in applications in which a combination of high-heat stability and electrical properties is required.
Discovered near Tranomaro in 1912 (though it can be found in crystalline schists from Fort Dauphin up to Ihosy), within 6 years 18 tons/yr of phlogopite mica was exported, with over 500 tons/yr by 1928. By 1947 there were 50 different companies mining mica, though the majority of the mining was done by just 10 of them. There were still 15 mines operating in 1962, with active exploration going on at 20 other sites. Mining companies included the Etablissements W. Boetschi, Les Fils de O. Jenny, the Societe des Minerals de la Grande Isle at Benato and th Union des Micas. However, in 1963 the US stopped purchasing mica, resulting in the closure of several mines and the production being cut by 2/3rds. The biggest mine was and still is at Ampandandrava, about 250 km from Tolagnaro, which currently is being mined by Groupe Akesson, exporting 1,000 tons/yr.[98][99][100]
Monazite, a reddish-brown phosphate mineral, contains rare earth metals. It was originally mined from beach sands at and near Tolagnaro by Societe d'Exploitation des Monazites, which had a treatment plant which produced 200 tons/yr, though in 1964 the plant was moved to Vohibarika. There are still an estimated 310,000 tons of this in the heavy-mineral sands near Tolagnaro.[101]
Heavy-mineral sands near Tolagnaro have an estimated 177,000 tons of monzanite, with another 64,000 tons with a high Thorium content located 100 km north of Tolagnaro.
Rutile, a mineral composed primarily of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2), is an important constituent of heavy mineral sands ore deposits which typically also include Ilmenite and Zircon. The two main uses of Rutile are either in the manufacture of refractory ceramic (as a white pigment), and for the production of Titanium metal. About 15,000 tons/yr are being exported by QMM as a byproduct of its Ilmenite mining in the region. [see Ilmenite above]
Sapphires are worn as jewelry. They are also used in several other applications, including infrared optical components (i.e. scientific instruments), high-durability applications (windows, wristwatch crystals and movement bearings) and very thin electronic wafers (i.e. used in insulating integrated circuits).
The presence of Sapphires in Anosy was first written about by Etienne de Flacourt in 1658, they were most likely also seen by Barthelemy Hugon in 1808; and sapphire crystals were described by a French geologist working in the mica mines near Tranomaro in the 1950s. However, it wasn't until 1991 that very high quality blue sapphires of up to 35 carats (similar in quality to those from Kashmir) were purchased by gemologist John Darbellay near the Antandroy villages of Andranondambo and Marohoto (20 km from Tranomaro) in the Manambolo valley, just 80 km northwest of Tolagnaro (though it takes a 6-hour drive of almost 210 km to get there).
Thai purchasers arrived in 1993, soon joined by traders from Israel, Sri Lanka and several other countries, and by 1994 almost 10,000 miners had rushed to the area from all parts of Madagascar. However, while the initial finds of sapphires in this area were only 2 to 3 meters below ground, in gravel held by clay, since then most sapphires found are almost randomly embedded in a limestone or marble bedrock. These rocks take extensive work to obtain, requiring sledgehammers, spikes and small fires.
Thus, the number of miners was only about 5,000 a year later; today Andranondambo only has about 1,000 residents, many occasionally continue to search for sapphires, though they also farm, are vendors, etc. Foreigners visit only occasionally, as most middlemen are now Malagasy. Three different companies attempted to mine commercially, but only for a brief time. An Environmental Impact Study conducted in 2004 found the area "highly degraded" and the remaining dry spiny and gallery forest, threatened ecosystems, "fragmented."[22][102][103][104][105][106][107]
Thorite is an important ore of Uranium. A variety of Thorite often called "Uranothorite", rich in Uranium, is highly radioactive.
By the end of World War II, Madagascar was viewed by France as having a "treasure-trove" of minerals, so several of France's nuclear experts told Charles de Gaulle he needed to keep Madagascar as a colony "regardless of political costs." Multiple deposits of Thorium and Uranium, principally in the form of Uranothorite, were discovered near Tranomaro, in the loop of the Mandrare river, in 1953 by a French Geological Survey, just 80 km northwest of Fort Dauphin. However, getting there by road meant driving west almost to Amboasary and then northeast for a total distance from Tolanaro of about 200 kilometres. The local farmers, who raised cattle and goats, and grew rice, manioc and maize, knew of these deposits, calling these rocks "vatovy" to describe their density and black color. They used them as slingshot ammunition and fishing weights.
In 1953, the French Commissariat de l’Energie Atomique (CEA) [see what is now called the Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives] established their center for mining at Ambatomika ("place of Mica rocks") and brought in mining equipment, built a mill, lab, offices, a small clinic, a store as well as housing and a clubhouse for the expatriates living there. What they milled was mined from small, open-pit mines, which had a minimum overburden (for a picture of one of these mines see[108]) within a 20 km radius of this site. Some of these sites were mined by colonial concessionaires who sold their ore to the CEA.
By 1958, there were 44 Europeans working with 440 Malagasy there, a limited number of mid-level Imerina with many more Antandroy and some Betsileo working as guards, porters and miners. Early, artisanal mining was not recorded, but from 1954 to 1963 almost 4,000 tonnes of highly radioactive Uranothorite was mined and exported to France. By 1962, these exports were worth CFAF 389 million, and by 1964 this was Madagascar's second most valuable export. In 1963, the original Ambindandrakemba mine was exhausted, the site at Ambatomika was lost, and all the equipment was moved north 40 km to Betioky, near the Belafa ore body which was thought to have somewhere between 2,000 and 5,000 tons of uranothorianite, embedded within 100,000 to 300,000 tons of ore.
In addition to the CEA, there were 4 private mining companies in 1963 including C.F. Lanouo, Kotovelo (plant at Marovato), Societe des Minerals de la Grand Ile (mine at Ambatoaho, Societe d'Exploitation des Mines d'Andranondambo (mine at Bevalala) and the Societe Miniere et Forestiere at Betanimera. In 1963 these producers were being paid 2,850 to 5,000 CFAF/kg for uranium metal content and CFAF 100 to 350/kg of Thorium. However, due to the French having found much larger deposits in both Gabon and Niger, and due to the by then worn out equipment and exhausted mines, mining ended in 1968. While the higher-grade deposits have been exhausted, there is still a considerable amount of lower-grade material in this area.
In 2005, the Malagasy Government conducted aerial magnetic and radiometric surveys of the area, finding the amounts of Thorium and Uranium increased as one moves west, though this could be due to "transported cover" on the Easter side of the area. In 2007 drilling by the Canadian firm, Pan African Mining Corporation, at one site found "high-grade uranium mineralisation grading 4,329 ppm uranium", with deposits as far down as 60 metres below the surface. In 2009–10 LP HILL began ground traverses for Thorium and Uranium in the Marodambo area (in addition they have permits to search for Cordierite, Garnets and Sapphires).
London-based Bekitoly Resources Ltd. is also involved in the strategic acquisition, exploration and development of uranium, rare earth deposits and other minerals in Madagascar. Their property occurs within includes 8 of the historical open-pit deposits. Their exploration activities have included airborne radiometrics and hyperspectral surveys, ground radiometrics and magnetics, mapping, grab sampling, trenching and drilling which have identified numerous widespread radiometric anomalies with uranium and thorium scintillometer readings of up to 26,257 and 43,215 ppm respectively, as well as the rare earth elements of Cerium, Dysprosium, Erbium, Gadolinium, Lanthanum, Neodymium, Praseodymium, Samarium and Yttrium. Their data also suggests there are numerous additional areas "with good indications" that remain untested.[109][110][111][112][113][114][115]
Tourmaline is a semi-precious gemstone which has been found near Ampasimainty, Ianakafy and Iankaroka, all south of Betroka. It has also been found near Behara and Tranomaro, which are both closer to Amboasary. A 7 cm Tourmaline crystal found near Tranomaro was recently sold by Arkenstone Fine Minerals for US$2,250.
Zircon is used in the decorative ceramics industry as a substance which can be added to another material in order to make the ensuing system opaque. It is also the principal precursor to metallic zirconium (fairly uncommon), but also to all compounds of zirconium, including Zirconium Oxide (ZrO2), which is a highly refractory material. About 25,000 tons/yr of Zircon are being exported by QMM as a byproduct of its Ilmenite mining in this region [see Ilmenite above].
The estimated population of the Anosy region was 671,805 in 2013.
While the people who have historically lived in Anosy are known as the Antanosy,[116] they may be more accurately described as "those from Anosy" given Anosy's history. In addition there are many Antandroy living in Anosy, primarily Tolagnaro, along with Malagasy from the rest of the island, many of them now working for QMM's mining efforts. There are Asians who own many of the shops in town and there are also a few Europeans living in Tolagnaro working in the area(s) of Conservation, Mining, Tourism or for the Catholic Church. While there were many French living and working in the Anosy region during the French occupation of Madagascar, most had left by the mid-1970s. Tolagnaro was also the center for work by American Lutherans, primarily in southern Madagascar, from the 1890s to the mid-1980s (see History of Anosy below). Much more recently, for several years there were over 700 expatriates, primarily from South Africa, who worked on the construction of the new port and mining facilities.
The majority of those living in Anosy practice traditional Folk religion.[117]
The two largest Christian denominations in the Anosy region are the Roman Catholic and the Malagasy Lutheran churches. There is also a small Muslim community.
The Catholic Church was established in what was then still Fort Dauphin in 1896. It currently has 5 parishes, with about 170 congregations and 16 Cures.[118][119][120]
Of the Protestants in Anosy, the vast majority are Lutheran. There are approximately 20 Malagasy Lutheran pastors working with 134 churches in the Tolagnaro Synod, meaning each pastor works with between 3 and 12 churches. For further information see [121][122]
In addition to the Malagasy Lutheran Church, the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM) has several congregations in the Anosy region as do several other Protestant denominations.
Airline Tolagnaro is serviced by Air Madagascar, with daily flights to and from Antananarivo.
Bus Service Buses run both north and west from Tolagnaro, most are overcrowded, many are in poor repair and some are trucks with metal benches welded into the back.
Roads Only 50% of the roads in Anosy were passable in 2009, with the rest either closed during the rainy season or no longer passable at all. 4WD is recommended. While the road was paved from Tolagnaro west through Amboasary to Ambovombe, most of this pavement is wrecked. While the World Bank helped pave the roads in Tolagnaro and QMM has built a highway to export its ilmenite to the harbor and the Chinese have repaired the road from Tolagnaro to Ranomafana, that is the limit of recent road repairs.
In the last ? years the road north from Tolagnaro through Manantenina to Vangaindrano has been opened and is now used as one of the ways to drive north to Antananarivo.
Shipping The construction of the new Ehoala harbor has greatly improved Anosy's port facilities. Its previous (and historic) harbor was known for the very large number of ships which have gone aground in that bay over the years (10 in the last decade).
Given its pleasant climate (average temperature of 20° in July to 27° Celsius in January), magnificent beaches, natural reserves (including several containing lemurs), variety of hotels and that it's only a one-hour flight from Antananarivo, some have given Tolagnaro the title of "la cote d'Azur Malgache." Popular places to visit include Evatraha, Libanona beach, Lokaro, Manafiafy, Nahampoana and Vinanibe.[123] [124]
General tourism information about Tolagnaro can be found at a variety of sites: [125] [126] [127] [128]
Tourist Agencies in Antananarivo: There are a variety of tourist agencies in Antananarivo one can work with if you'd like to visit Tolagnaro. [129] [130] [131][132][133][134]
Tourist Agencies in Tolagnaro: There are also several tourist agencies in Tolagnaro one can work with. [135] [136]
The average temperature in Tolagnaro ranges from 26 °C (79 °F) in January and February to 20 °C (68 °F) in July, with the temperature of the ocean ranging from 25 °C (77 °F) in January and February to 19 °C (66 °F) in June and July. The humidity of Tolagnaro ranges from 77 to 84 percent all year long.
In general, Anosy's rainfall ranges from very wet and humid on the northeast to increasingly arid as one moves towards the southwest. In Tolagnaro, the average rainfall is over 150 millimetres (5.9 in) per month for November through the rainiest month of April (which is almost 190 millimetres (7.5 in)) and then dips down to less than 100 millimetres (3.9 in) for the months of September and October, for a total of 1,800mm/year. Tolagnaro is a windy town, with Force 6 winds from 6 to13 days per month for five months of the year (including August through November) and Force 4 winds of 11 to 24 days per month for 11 months of the year.[4][137][138][139][140]
For a view of current wind speeds and wave heights see the following Windfinder [1] link.
While Tolagnaro historically has had electricity for many years, the growth of the town and poor condition of the town's generators has meant QMM now has taken over the production of the town's electricity. The only other town in Anosy with electricity is Amboasary.
As of 2008, rural electrification in Anosy was only 7%. While a program entitled PEPSE Anosy was proposed to provide electricity from wind generators to 8 towns (Analapatsy, Ifarantsa, Ifotaka, Mahatalaky, Manantenina, Sampona, Soanierana & Tanandava), there is no evidence this project has been started [see Fondation Energies Pour le Monde (2008)[141] and MARGE (2005) [142] for further information].
[4][143][144]
The early history of Anosy at this point in time is based primarily on archeological digs in the Efaho valley, just west of Tolagnaro, though there has also been some work done just east and north of town. By far the best source regarding the history of Anosy (especially the Efaho valley) in the last 1,000 years is by Rakotoarisoa (1998).[145][146] Other excellent sources for the early history of Anosy are by Wright et al.[147][148][149] as well as Dewar and Wright[150] who also describe the early history of several other parts of Madagascar. Also see[151][152]
14th century:
16th century:
[the Zafindraminia's] acquisitive impulse, internal rivalries, and inability to find symbols that would transcend the needs of individual Rohandrian (as the highest Zafindraminia estate was called) and unite all of of the Antanosy, all went against the formation of a single state ruled by the Zafindraminia kings. Instead, two parallel societies developed with the Zafindraminia copying tompontany hierarchy. While the French established Fort Dauphin in Antanosy during 1643, the two societies were in a state of interpenetration not only as a result of exogamy but also because the upper estates on both sides were shifting toward political centralization. During its three decades on local soil, from 1643 to 1674, Fort Dauphin deflected this process completely and political unity would continue to be elusive... [as] the Zafindraminia were not kingdom-builders. (pp. 855-856) [154]
Much of the information about this period is from Larson (2007)[157] which is a much more in depth analysis of this time. Also see Pearson (1997),[158] Canitrot (1921).[159] and Oliver (1902).[160]
The people there are negroes and valiant: but they are wicked and do not wish to trade merchandise with any strangers. The Portuguese king had there formerly a factory [at Ranofotsy], where ginger was extracted; but the natives killed them and no longer wished to trade with the Portuguese...The island's coast is very dangerous, especially the south coast and part of the southeast. Shoals run for more than 30 leagues" (as cited in Pearson, 1997).
Early 17th century:
See Larson (2007)[157] and Pearson (1997) for where much of the information on this period came. For additional information see[166][167][168][169][170][171][172][173][174][175][176] For additional information about France's colonial efforts, see the French Colonial Empire.)
That part of Madagascar where Fort Dauphin is situated is very populous. Almost all the villages are built on eminences; they are surrounded by two rows of strong palisades, and within these there is a parapet of earth four feet in height. Large bamboos, placed at a distance of five feet from each other and sunk to a considerable depth in the ground, serve to strengthen the palisades...some of these villages are fortified also by a ditch ten feet in breadth and six in depth. The place where the chief resides is called Donac: it contains two or three buildings surrounded by a peculiar kind of inclosure where the chief lives with his women and his children. The chiefs always go armed with a fusee and a stick headed with iron, to the other extremity of which is affixed a small bunch of cow's hair; they cover their heads with a cap made of red wollen cloth. It is by their caps, above all, that they can be distinguished by their subjects. The authority of these chiefs is very much limited; yet in the province of Carcanossi they are supposed to be the proprieters of all the land, which they distribute among their subjects, in order to be tilled and cultivated. For this they require a small quit-rent, which, in the language of the country, is called faensa. The people of the provinces of Carcanossi are not entirely ignorant of the art of writing. They have even sme historical books in the Madecasse language; but their learned men whom they call Ombiasses, use only the Arabic characters. They have among them treatises on medicine, geomancy, and judicial astrology. These Ombiasses are both sorcerers and physicians. The most celebrated come from the province of Matatane, in which country magic is preserved in its full glory. (p. 865)[177]
The unhealthinefs of the air [at Manafiafy] carried off [as in killed], in the space fpace of one month, the third part of the new fetlers. Pronis was forced to give up this infant colony, nothwithftanding its peculiar advantages of locality. He retired precipitately with the furviving fettlers, to the peninfula of Tholanger, where the air is more falubrious.... This peninfula widens imperceptibly; it may eafily be blocked up with redoubts and pallifades, to fcreen it from any incurfion of the part of the iflanders. The fort which has been erected here commands the road; its elevation is 150 feet above the level of the sea; an enemy who would come to anchor here, could not hold out the fire from the batteries which command the road. A fteep declivity furrounded by rocks render the landing difficult, and to approach the fort would be quite impracticable, if fome ftrong works were added to it. This fort, called Fort Dauphin is a long fquare, encompaffed with good walls of lime and gravel, and extremely well cemented; it was thought ufelefs to fhut it from the fide of the road.[178]
With the exception of some officers who feared God, there was neither order nor justice in the quarter of the Europeans. The most atrocious robberies were committed with impunity. The cattle of the natives was taken by force: they were massacred without mercy, when they did not give it cheerfully: they treated as an outrage upon temporals, the representations and complaints of a conduct so contrary to justice and humanity.
the Ombiasa [royal practicers of magic] employed [their services] against the French...they sent near the French fort baskets full of papers with printed symbols and writing on them, eggs...with [the same], unbaked earthen post with writings inside and out, small coffins, dugouts, oars...all covered with symbols, scissors, tongs... In short, there is hardly anything they did not try, even the poisoning of [our] water wells
War continues, famine has not left, our weakness increases.... As our enemies, they increase their forces every day in number and in force...we are not in a position to defend ourselves, not having the arms, men, munitions of war nor the guns."
At this period it was well known that the islanders breathed nothing but vengeance against us, and eagerly sought an opportunity of retaliating for our injustice and oppression. Our yoke was become odious and insupportable to them. Historians, for the honour of civilized nations, ought to bury in oblivion every detail of the atrocious cruelties exercised against these people whom they brand with the odious epithets of barbarians, traitors, and thieves, because they have revolted against some European adventurers, whose least crime was a violation of the sacred rights of hospitality.
18th century: [184][185][186]
What an admirable county is Madagascar! it is the veritable promised land for naturalists. It is there that Nature seems to have retired as into a special sanctuary, to work there on other models than those to which she enslaved herself in other countries.[190]
19th century: [191][192][193]
(Rakotoarisoa, 1998).[194][195]
Two hundred Malagasy villagers had collected on the beach, all willing to lend a hand, and the captain got them to form a chain reaching form the vessel to the shore, some in boats and canoes, others standing in the water. The Malagasy soon landed the cargo, but "amid a scene of great confusion," with "many a box of costly silks, satins, crapes, and handkerchiefs ornamenting different parts of their persons, while under their arms were boxes of tea, bundles of sewing silk, and other valuables the like of which the natives had never before seen." Morrell [the ship's captain] "paced the beach to and fro like a maniac, with a brace of pistols in his hands, threatening to blow out the brains of the first man who broke open a box. But he was not ubiquitous, and the moment he turned his back, open went a box, and away ran the ... contents." The captain could only despair, his vision shattered and his kingdom sunk. His frown and cold command were now directed at those who, antlike, emptied his colossal wreck, now destined for the sandy depths. He could not police the chaos, and he lost a fair amount of cargo to the "helpers." A hundred bottles of medicinal cajuput oil that he had purchased in Singapore were "lost," while the sago he had also acquired was ruined by seawater. Once the cargo was unloaded, and the crew were ashore, Morrell put the chests and crates under armed guard and secured them with tents made from the ship's sails. In all, Morrell claimed officially to have saved 115 of the 400 full tea chests, 230 of the 450 half tea chests, and 380 of the 630 tea boxes--that is about 40 percent of the tea cargo. He also recuperated 360 cases or boxes of silks, which was by his estimation about half the total. Three cases of chinaware, a case of ink, and eight cases of pearl shirt buttons were also among the items recovered. It was the boxes of curiosities gathered from around the Bismarck Sea, however which were to cause the most trouble. Some of these chests had drifted ashore at the foot of the bay, and when an inquisitive Malagasy opened one, he was more than shocked to find it stuffed with dried skulls [which Captain Morell had stolen from villages on the islands of Arawe (New Britain) earlier in his voyage, as he felt they would sell well in New York and Philadelphia when he got back home to the US]. As Jacob writes, the Malagasy were horrified and "held a convention over them, and concluded that the crew of the Margaret Oakley were a set of piratical cannibals, who had been cruising along the shores of Madagascar, eating the people and preserving their skulls. This came near causing a bloody outbreak of savage fury upon our party, and it was only by consummate tact on the part of the captain that the enmity of the natives was allayed." (pp. 257-258)[196]
(Rakotoarisoa, 1998).[145] (For additional information about France's colonial efforts, see French colonial empire.)
20th century: Also see[200]
Faced with the resistance of the Malagasy to any form of recruitment [for forced labor], the [French] administration took over and, in 1926, established the Service de la Main d'Oeuvre pour les Travaux d'Interet General (SMOTIG), which required conscripts not actually called up for military service to work for three years--subsequently reduced to two years--on the colony's construction sites. The SMOTIG, which was regarded by the Malagasy as being "slavery in disguise," was deeply resented not only by the people who commandeered but also by "voluntary" wage labourers who lost their jobs as a result. (p. 242)
(Rakotoarisoa, 1998).[145]
21st century:
15th century
16th century
17th century
18th century
19th century
16th century Portuguese India
17th century Portuguese India
18th century Portuguese India
19th century Portuguese Macau
20th century Portuguese Macau
Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
China, India, Tanzania, Africa, Madagascar
Madagascar, Atsimo-Andrefana, European Union, Zimbabwe, Opuntia dillenii
Ahmedabad, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarati language, Surat
Diana Region, Sofia Region, Madagascar, Sava Region, Melaky
Portugal, Hong Kong, China, Macau, Guangdong
Madagascar, Regions of Madagascar, Boeny, Betsiboka, Bongolava