Madagascar celebrates its independence day on June 26. On this date 63 years ago, the country gained full independence from France, which had occupied the territory since 1896.
The independence struggle of the people of Madagascar was marked by considerable hardship and bloodshed.
In the evening of March 29, 1947, Malagasy nationalists, armed mainly with spears, launched coordinated surprise attacks on military bases and French-owned plantations in the eastern part of the island.
By May 1947, the French had begun to oppose the fighters. The colonial authorities sought to fight on the physical and psychological fronts and applied a variety of terror tactics designed to demoralize the population.
According to various estimates, up to 100,000 Madagascans were killed during the rebellion. The former colonizers refuse to recognize the events as an act of genocide, despite extensive evidence of French crimes.
Creation of Republic
In 1956, the French National Assembly passed a law reforming the French overseas territories, so that universal suffrage could be introduced in Madagascar.
Two years later, the Malagasy people voted for the country’s autonomy in an official referendum.
As a result, the Malagasy Republic, proclaimed on October 14, 1958, became an autonomous state within the French Community.
Celebrating Today
The day is a time for Malagasy people to come together in unity and remember the country's struggle for independence.
Each year, independence is feasted with lots of food, drink and dancing, and fireworks and firecrackers are a regular sight and sound.
It is a proudly patriotic time when the flag of Madagascar flies from homes and balconies in all the towns and villages of the island.
On this day, crowds gather at the Mahamasina Stadium in the capital city of Antananarivo to watch a military parade, usually followed by a concert.
The concert includes a presentation of "Hiragasy," traditional Malagasy music, when singers put on traditional outfits to present folk tales through song, poetry and dance.
One of the other ways to celebrate the holiday is to dance and share the "nofon-kena mitam-pihavanana" which means "meat to strengthen the friendship."