THE AMCHAM POST JUNE 23 2022 

For 62 years, we, Malagasy people, have celebrated each year our independence from the French metropolis. Madagascar obtained its independence after patriotic protest movements, sometimes bloody, that started in the late 19th century.

During the reign of Queen Ranavalona III, her birthdate was considered a kind of "national holiday". Every November 22, the kingdom celebrated what was called "fandroana" which means "sacred bath festival". The celebration stopped when, in 1895, Madagascar officially became a French colony. From that year, July 14 was made a national holiday all over the country until the great island was officially declared "independent" in 1960 at Andafiavaratra. On June 26 of that year, the first president of Madagascar, Philibert Tsiranana, gave a sermon at the Mahamasina stadium on the "Vatomasina" or "sacred stone". The French flag has given way to the Malagasy "white – red - green" flag. That was a joyful day for the Malagasy who fought body and soul for the liberation of the country from the hands of the French. On the same day, the "Foloalindahy Malagasy" was created under the leadership of General Ramanantsoa Gabriel, who would later become President of the Republic in 1972. He was trained in a French regiment.

June 26: Feast of the Malagasy Foloalindahy

According to the definition of Malagasy archives, the "Foloalindahy" is composed of the army and the national gendarmerie. Approximately 19,000 (10,000 members of the Army and 9,000 gendarmes) people make the Foloalindahy. To celebrate this very important day, the parade of the Foloalindahy locally called "Matso" is held every year at the Mahamasina Stadium (today know as Barea Stadium). Historically, the Englishman James King introduced the first "matso" in Madagascar at the time of King Radama II to celebrate major national events.

For this year, a bunch of events are on the agenda:podium, fireworks, worship, the great "matso" this Sunday. As per our tradition, residents have been invited to hoist the Malagasy national flag since early June.

A brief history of the Malagasy flag

The first Malagasy flag was from the time of King Radama I (1810-1828). It looked quite similar to the current Polish flag. When the colonizers settled, it was the French flag that rose in all corners of Madagascar. The current “white - red – green” format was first raised on October 21st, 1958. Each of these three colors has its meaning (meaning that may vary though!). Here are two of them:

• Red means national sovereignty. Green means hope for a bright future for Madagascar. White evokes the "sacred" character of the Nation.
• Red refers to the color of "lambamena", the fabric used for wrapping the dead body of the king or the queen, the color of the zebu's blood (zebus used to be killed during major events); the color of the clay used for building the walls of the houses in Imerina. Green evokes the color of the rice fields and that of the "ravinala", endemic trees with cultural meanings. White can be interpreted as the color of the "fabric" or "lamba" worn by Malagasy women and also as the color of rice.

Celebrations of the Independence Day have evolved over time. We wish safe and happy celebrations of the “Asaramanitra” to all Malagasy people!

Source: National Archives / Ministry of National Defense
Edited by Kenny Raharison