FaMoUS MalaGAsY

Madagascar's First President

The poet Jean-Joseph Rabéarivelo (1901–37) published several volumes of poetry ( Volumes, Presques Songes, Sylves). Jacques Rabémananjara (b.1914), a founder of the MDRM, is well known for his verse play, Les Dieux malgaches. Philibert Tsiranana (1910–78), a Tsimihety teacher, founded the PSD, and became Madagascar's first president in May 1959. Gen. Gabriel Ramanantsoa (1906–79) was head of state from May 1972 to February 1975. Adm. Didier Ratsiraka (b.1936) became head of state in June 1975 and president of the republic in January 1976.

Reference:http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Madagascar-FAMOUS-MALAGASY.html

HeAlTh

      All medical services in Madagascar are free. Each province has a central hospital and local clinics, dispensaries, and maternity-care centers are supplemented by mobile health units. The main hospitals are the Hospital Befelatnana (1,300 beds) and Fort Dauphin Hospital (80). As of 1999, total health care expenditure was estimated at 2.1% of GDP. As of 1999, there were an estimated 0.1 physicians and 0.9 hospital beds per 1,000 people.
         Malaria remains one of the major health problems. The current reorganization of the health service in Madagascar is an opportunity to establish new anti-malaria programs. The strategies of the fight against malaria consist of early care of malaria cases, drug interaction for pregnant women, and eradication of adult insects in the central highlands where malaria is common. The major endemic diseases are malaria, leprosy, and schistosomiasis. Tuberculosis is also prevalent. In 1995, there were 5,915 leprosy cases. In 2000, 47% of the population had access to safe drinking water and 42% had adequate sanitation.
As of 2002, the crude birth rate and overall mortality rate were estimated at, respectively, 42.4 and 12.2 per 1,000 people. The fertility rate in 2000 was 5.4. Only 19% of married women (ages 15 to 49) used contraception in 2000. The infant mortality rate in 2000 was 88 per 1,000 live births. The maternal mortality rate in 1998 was 490 per 100,000 live births. Immunization rates for children up to one year old for 1997 were: tuberculosis, 87%; diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus, 73%; polio, 73%; and measles, 68%. As of 1999, 48% of children under five years of age were considered malnourished. Nearly 22.8% of schoolchildren suffered from goiter in 1996. The average life expectancy was 55 years in 2000.
At the end of 2001, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS was estimated at 22,000 (including 0.3% of the adult population). Deaths from AIDS in 1999 were estimated at 870. In the same year HIV prevalence was 0.14 per 100 adults.

Reference:http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Madagascar-HEALTH.html

Delicious recipes brought from Madagascar

APPETIZER :

Tomato Rougaille

What You Need:

1 cup diced green peppers

½ cup sliced scallions, with some tops

2 cups chopped, peeled tomatoes

1 to 2 tablespoons water

Few drops Tabasco sauce

Salt to taste

How To Cook:

   Savoury Pork

Where To Go !!

Big bird fossils

Witness the scattered fragments of prehistoric eggshells from the extinct Elephant Bird (Aepyornis) in the Anakao fishing village where these hulking, mammoth-sized avian species (likened to a giant ostrich) once lived.

Capital of wine

Watch the legacy of the Swiss introduced grapevine of the 1970s come to fruition in the mountains near Fianarantsoa (Fianar) in the island’s ‘Capital of Wine’ where red and white vintages are produced by vine-farming collectives and shipped all over Africa – and beyond.

Diving

Revel in deep-water discovery in the diving hotspots of Nossi Bé, Nossi Lava, Toliara and Ile Ste-Marie where gorgeous crystal-clear underwater gardens of aquatic flora are flanked by unspoiled beaches and home to boxfish, barracuda, rays, sea urchins, starfish, eels, pinprick islands and migratory humpback whales (Jun-Sep).

Reference: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/madagascar/sightseeing

BeAChEs..

Madagascar Beaches, Luxury Madagascar Holidays

Madagascar has 1,800 miles of beautiful beaches, palm-fringed shoreline, numerous offshore islands and coral reefs providing wonderful snorkeling and diving.

Here are some of the main area :

Nosy Be Island situated off the northwest coast of Madagascar is the most well known of all Madagascar's islands, offering a wide choice of accommodation from budget to exclusive private island resorts.

Tsarabanjina is an exclusive island in the Mitsio Archipelago situated 65kms from Nosy Be, the 25 beach cottages have private verandahs, hammocks and breathtaking sea views.

Nosy Iranja spans two stunning islands which are joined by a 1.2km sandbank, Iranja Be and Iranja Kely which is home to Iranja Lodge & 13 hectares of paradise.

Tsara Komba Lodge located on the small Lemur Island is an authentic, natural paradise comprising of 8 spacious lodges built with the greatest respect for the environment and in harmony with the local population.

Le Paradisier At the South of Madagascar, facing the Mozambique Channel and the superb reef of Ifaty, less than 20 kilometres from Tuléar, Le Paradisier provides an exclusive, charming and relaxing hotel stay.

Ile Sainte Marie is a tropical island just off the East coast of Northern Madagascar. Once known for being a haven for pirates and vagabonds, it is now a treasure island for those seeking palm-lined beaches, coral reefs and relaxation.

Anjajavy is only accessible by plane and consists of a beautiful ensemble of rosewood villas scattered over a long fine sandy beach and the Mozambique Channel.

Eden Lodge located on Baobab beach is a truly unique experience. The hotel combines luxury with the natural surroundings of Madagascar and is the only entirely solar powered hotel in the world!

Reference:http://www.imagineafrica.co.uk/Madagascar/Madagascar_Beaches

Economic

Why is Madagascar so poor?
Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries. In the Human Development Index of 2003, an indicator created by the United Nations Development Programme which measures achievements in terms of life expectancy, educational attainment and adjusted real income, Madagascar was ranked #149 out of 175 counties. Most Malagasy live on less than a dollar per day and nearly half of the country's children under five years of age are malnourished

Madagascar is among the world's poorest countries despite its biological and cultural richness due to :

Environmental degradation
Madagascar's environmental degradation is severe. Perhaps 90% of Madagascar's forests are gone while 25-30% of the country burns every year from agricultural fires. Soil erosion robs the country's agricultural capacity and further impoverishes rural populations. Conserving what remains of Madagascar's wildlands and biodiversity is key to the country's future economic development.

Kleptocractic rule
Under the kleoptocratic rule of French-backed dictator Didier Ratsiraka -- who modeled his economic policies on North Korea -- government officials stole millions of dollars in funds ear-marked for aid and development activities.

More generally, corruption is extremely costly to developing economies. Corruption breeds poorly performing economies by discouraging private sector development, scaring off foreign investors, undermining government credibility, and impeding poverty alleviation. The kleptocrats believe that they stand to gain more from taking a large share of a stable or shrinking economy than from a shrinking portion of an increasing economy. Economies based on natural resource extraction, like Madagascar, are particularly prone to kleptocracy.

Economic colonialism
Despite achieving independence in 1960, Madagascar is still largely run like a colony with an economy closely tied to resource extraction. Lack of investment in sustainable industries has retarded Madagascar's economic development significantly.

New president Marc Ravalomanana is working to move away from the old system and attract foregin investment that will build sustainable business models (though resource extraction, especially mining, will still play an important part in developing Madagascar's economy).

Lack of infrastructure
According to CIA figures, Madagascar has 49,827 km of roads, of which just 5,780 km are paved. These figures are probably optimistic; many of Madagascar's "paved roads" are in terrible shape, filled with potholes and or wide enough for only a single vehicle. Cyclones and other weather conditions often wipe out roads and bridges making travel even more difficult.

New president Marc Ravalomanana has initiated a major infrastructure improvement program in an effort to boost the Malagasy economy. This plan is likely to bring economic benefits but may have high social costs with increased access affecting traditional Malagasy culture and perhaps spreading AIDS from cities to the countryside. Currently Madagascar has one of the lowest HIV/AIDS rates in Africa.

Geographic isolation
Madagascar's geographic isolation increases the cost of trade. This isolation is not all bad -- it is a large part of why Madagascar has such incredible biodiversity and unique cultural practices.
Relatively small population
A small population is not necessarily a bad thing but it does not really help the economy. Because Madagascar's population is relatively small (and poor), it will continue to be underserved as a market for international firms. With less than 20 million people, foreign corporations lack the incentive to develop, transport, and market many goods in Madagascar.

Educational system
Madagascar's children lack an adequate educational system. Being poor makes it difficult for the government to spend much on education and until recently most kids lacked basic educational supplies. Textbooks available to Malagasy children taught them nothing of local fauna (emphasis on European and African animals not lemurs, tenrecs, and chameleons) or much about their own country and unique cultural identity.

New president Marc Ravalomanana has put major emphasis on improving Madagascar's educational system including providing training for teachers and distributing backpacks and school supplies for children. International organizations are using radio as a tool for educating adults in remote areas about issues such as conservation while others work with local farmers to improve crop yields. The government has begun teaching English in schools.
Reference:http://news.mongabay.com/2005/0522-rhett_butler.html

AniMaLs ..

Madagascar animals form a major portion of the ecology of Madagascar, a country with a large range of biological and ecological diversities. The animals in Madagascar range from predators to herbivores, reptiles and others.


Madagascar animals is an exciting combination of common as well as a number of rare species of animals. They find a safe haven for themselves in the undisturbed world of ancient wilderness in Madagascar.



Chameleons



Madagascar, located near the eastern coast of Africa, is a reserve of various animal species that find in the island an ideal habitat for their growth and evolution. Almost 75% of the animals in Madagascar are native of the island country which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Some rare animals of Madagascar include a number of species of chameleons , the most endangered species of tortoise of the world namely the Angonoka tortoise, the Aye-Aye, different species of lemurs, Indri, Sifaka, Flying Fox, Fossa, Fanaloka, mongoose, Tenrec, Blue Coua, Day Gecko, Spear-nosed Snake etc.

The forests and freshwater regions of Madagascar create favorable natural habitats for the Madagascar animals. The variety and number of animals in Madagascar form an interesting aspect of wildlife and ecology of Madagascar. The following links provide more information on Madagascar animals.



Aye-Aye



Reference:http://www.mapsofworld.com/madagascar/animals/

FestIVaL iN MadAgaScAr ..

The Festivals in Madagascar are fine examples of the rich tradition and diverse culture of the country. Madagascar is an important province in Africa and is located at the southeastern coast of the Atlantic Ocean The country is known for its diverse culture and rich tradition. The diverse culture in the country has led to the growth of various Festivals in Madagascar. The festivals are held all over the world and are held in order to mark various occasions.

A lot of fanfare takes place during the Madagascar festivals. Most of the festivals consist of plenty of enjoyment and celebrations. They are popular tourist attractions in Madagascar. Travelers and tourists who attend these festivals have an experience of the local culture and tradition of the country. A wide variety of musical and dance performances are held during these festivals.
Some of the popular festivals of Madagascar are

Hira Gasy: Hira Gasy is a unique festival of Madagascar. It is the traditional from of the Malagasy Festival and is celebrated with huge enjoyment. It is an ancient festival and dates back to the reign of the ancient dynasties. The festival is a type of thanksgiving to the king who had saved the inhabitants from the famine and other natural calamities

The Famadihana: The Famadihana is a well known family festival and is known for its splendor and charm. It is mostly celebrated in the highlands and lots of music and dance performances are held during the festival. Lots of eating, drinking and recreation activities take place during the festival

The Sambatra: It is a tribal celebration which lasts for 4 week. The festival is celebrated by the Antambahoaka Tribe and is a collective circumcision ritual. Lots of celebration takes place during the festival. The tribal communities eat, drink, dance and indulge in frenzy

Apart from these, there are also more popular festivals that are held in the country like The Fitampoha and Tsagantsaina festivals. Local people as well as foreign tourists enjoy in these festivals.

The Madagascar festivals make the place unique and really make it an enjoyable place to travel. During the festival season, the shopping hotspots offer heavy discounts and rebates. The hotels also offer discounts on accommodation

Reference: http://travel.mapsofworld.com/madagascar/festivals-in-madagascar/

HoW to MaKe thE mOsT of YouR LambaaaaaaH ..

One item, many uses

The lamba serves so many purposes that it’s hard to know how they manage without them.

Use of lamba	Western product
Shielding sun	Sunglasses and hat, parasol, special sun shields in cars
Carrying child	Harness / pushchair / pram
Picking up hot things	Oven gloves
Blanket when want a nap	Blanket
Cloth for emergency cleaning	Cloth, baby wipes, tissues
Carrying bundles of things	Bags
Mat to sit on	Picnic blanket
Pillow	Pillow
Wiping noses	Hankies
Protect clothing form dirt when doing chores	Apron, overall
Protecting clothing from dirt when outside	?
Wind protection	?
Dust protection	?
Covering dignity whilst bathing in streams	?

 

Reference: http://vazahagasy.wordpress.com/2007/12/06/traditional-madagascar-clothing-the-lamba/

TraDiTionaL MadaGAscaR cL0thInG .. The LAmbA

Lamba for man

     In Diego, the lamba is rarely seen on men outside of ceremonies such as ‘joros’ (offerings) and ‘burials’ etc. although it is not so uncommon to see old men wearing it in rural areas. In rural areas on the plateau area of Madagascar, I saw more men wearing them as a matter of course. This man is a village chief from the North of Madagascar.

Lamba for woman

     Unlike the men, about half of women in Diego town can be seen wearing lamba. Older women and women from the countryside who are visiting the town almost always wear it. Muslim women of Malagasy origin also tend to wear it.There are no hard and fast rules to which women wear traditional lamba and which wear Western clothing. Many women wear a lamba one day and not the next or just for part of the day. Younger more fashion conscious women may wear lambas around the house and just for special occasions but not to go into town. On the contrary, other women wear western clothing at home and put the lamba on to go into town.
Nearly all women will wear a lamba if there is a death or an occasion where prayers are said to the ancestors. If you see a large group where every single woman is wearing a lamba, it almost certainly means there has been a death

Reference: http://vazahagasy.wordpress.com/2007/12/06/traditional-madagascar-clothing-the-lamba/

IntErestiNg N' fUN faCtS aBOut MaDagaSCAr ParT 2

• The Royal hill of Ambohimanga is a world heritage site and consists of a royal city, burial site and a number of sacred places.
• The highest point in Madagascar is Maromokotro

• As much as 5% land of the country is under cultivation. Crops inculding coffe, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas and peanuts are grown here. Livestock products are also grown in the island.
• Nearly half of the land of Madagascar is covered with forest.
• Due to soil erosion and deforestation, many of the plants and animals found in the island have been categorized as endangered species.
• There are a lot of variations in the climatic conditions of the entire island.While the east coast receives monsoon, the climate is wetter in the northern part of the country and the southern tip is covered with cactus-like plants, which give a semi-deserted look to the portion.
• It would be interesting to know that as much as 52% of the total population of Madagascar follows animist beliefs, while 41% follows Christianity. The remaining popular predominantly follows Islam.
• Over the years, the country has emerged as a hot tourist spot, largely due to the hospitality of its residents and the means of entertainment adopted by them, to amuse their guests.

Reference: http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/facts-about-madagascar-2813.html

IntErestiNg N' fUN faCtS aBOut MaDagaSCAr

• Madagascar was renamed as Domocratic Republic of Madagascar in 1975 and finally given the name 'Republic of Madagascar' in 1993.
• The official languages of the country are Malagasy, French and English.
• The capital of Madagascar is Antananarivo, while its currency is Malagasy Ariary.
• People living in the country, who are 18 years and above, have the right to elect their government and the President.
• Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. Its coastline is as long as 4828 km.
• Mountains are situated in the center of the island, the highest being Maromokotro, which is as high as 2876 m.
• Madagascar has a narrow coastal plain. It is the world's largest producer and exporter of vanilla!!
• The majority of the people in the country have indigenous beliefs with regard to religion. This follows a relationships between the living and the dead.
• Madagascar boasts of unique flora and fauna, Majority of which is not found anywhere else in the world.
• The country is also referred to as the Red Island, due to the red color of its soil.

Reference:http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/facts-about-madagascar-2813.html

Eating BugS iN MadAgascaR ..

Let see what the man is thinking about eating bugs `^^

Reference: http://www.youtube.com/

MaDagAsCAr aCtaUly ExiSts ~.~''



Yes !! There is an island country call "Madagascar" .. and NO there's no talking animal in Madagascar .. sorry that I have to disappoint you -.-' but we all have to face the reality that Madagascar is just a large island, located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. No fancy thing like what we saw in cartoon, well!! that's was what I were thinking off Madagascar in the first place before I Google it.