A theory goes that inhabitants from Indonesian archipelagos emigrated along the South-Asian coast, though to the Arabic Peninsula along the East-African and then through to the Mozambique Channel to end up in Madaagscar eventually. Such migrations started some 1500 years ago and occurred over several generations.

These Austronesian sailors finally settled on the central highlands. The Africans come later as a result of migrations quite common in those days and as a result of the intensity of the slave trade. Gradual interactions between Asian and African populations have brought about a specific people with a specific culture. They have a two-fold origin, both indonesian and african. This is borne out by their features, their language and their farming practices, as well as theirs customs.

In spite of their diversity, they are united by one language, rooted in ancient Malayo-polynesian which is the proto language of languages spoken in the Bornea area, Hawaï, Tuamotu and Madagascar.

Words borowed from Bantu, Swahili, Arabic, English and French have enriched the modern language.

Successive kings and queens ruled over several centures, ratifying trade and cooperation treatises with Europe and the United States of America mostly. Numerous English and French missionaries came to preach the Gospel and toteach reading and writing. Engineers came also to help with urbanisation and the making of fire-arms. The period ended in 1896 after the last

Prime Ministerand Queen Ranavalona were deposed and send into exile.

The queen Ranavalona III

In 1642, the French secured a base on the island, but their influence remained somewhat faltering until 1896 when, in the aftermath of popular upheavals, Madagascar was declared a French colony.

Under the terms of the French Constitution of 1946, the Island became a French overseas territory. During the 1950s, france took steps to increase autonomy on the island and a decace later, members of the provincial councils of Madagascar formed a congress and proclaimed Madagascar The Madagascar, a virtually autonomous member of the French Community.

On June 26th 1960 the Republic became fully independent while retaining priviledged links of friendship with France.

After a decade of political stability, serious problems affected the Madagascar people in the early 1970s. On December 30th 1975, the country was called the Democratic Republic o Madagascar and Lieutenant commander Didier Ratsiraka was appointed President the following month.

Following huge anti-governmental demonstrations, the Admiral Ratsiraka promised to set up democratic reforms. A new constitution was approved in August 1992 in the aftermath of a large-scale popular demonstration against the Ratsiraka regime. Albert Zafy beat Ratsiraka in the february 1993 presidential elections. After the new president had been in office for 2 years, the national Assembly impeached Albert Zafy who had encouraged a referendum extending presidential power while weakening that of the Assembly.

President Ratsiraka prevailed in the 1997 presidential elections for a four-year term of office.

Nowadays, Madagascar's regime is called a humanist and ecological Republic. The Island is divided into six autonomous provinces headed by governors.The senate has been reestablished after it was cancelled in 1972.

Since Decembre 16th2001, Madagascar has had a new President, Marc Ravalomanana. The new President has achieved recognition of the international community after a six month political and economic crisis.

Marc Ravalomanana

Didier Ratsiraka