Antananarivo, also known as Tananarive or Tana, is the capital and largest city of Madagascar. This city holds the distinction of being the highest national capital among island countries.
The administrative area of the city, known as Antananarivo-Renivohitra, is the capital of the Analamanga region.
With a population of approximately 1,275,207 inhabitants, it has been the country’s primary population center for centuries.
Antananarivo is home to the presidency, National Assembly, Senate, and Supreme Court of Madagascar.
It also houses 21 diplomatic missions, as well as the headquarters of numerous national and international businesses and NGOs.
The city boasts a greater number of universities, nightclubs, art venues, and medical services compared to any other city on the island.
Additionally, it is the base for several national and local sports teams, including the championship-winning national rugby team, the Makis.
Historically, Antananarivo served as the capital of the Merina people, who remain the majority population in the city.
The metropolitan area surrounding Antananarivo has a total population of nearly three million people.
The city is a melting pot of cultures, with representation from all eighteen Malagasy ethnic groups, as well as residents of Chinese, Indian, European, and other origins.
Antananarivo was founded around 1610 when King Andrianjaka of the Merina expelled the Vazimba inhabitants of the village of Analamanga.
King Andrianjaka established his capital in this location and built a fortified royal dwelling called a rova, which later expanded to become the royal palaces of the Kingdom of Imerina.
The city was initially known as Analamanga but was renamed Antananarivo, meaning “City of the Thousand,” by King Andriamasinavalona in honor of Andrianjaka’s soldiers.
After the Kingdom of Imerina split into four warring quadrants in 1710, Antananarivo became the capital of the southern quadrant.
However, in 1794, King Andrianampoinimerina of Ambohimanga captured the province, reunited the Kingdom of Imerina, and restored Antananarivo as the capital.
Under his rule and that of his son, Radama I, the Merina expanded their control over the island, earning Radama I the title of King of Madagascar in the eyes of European diplomats.
Even after the French colonization of Madagascar in 1897 and subsequent independence in 1960, Antananarivo remained the capital of the country.
The city is currently managed by the Commune Urbaine d’Antananarivo (CUA) under the leadership of its President of the Special Delegation.
However, the CUA has faced challenges in managing issues related to overcrowding, traffic congestion, waste management, pollution, security, and public utilities due to limited funds and mismanagement.
Despite these challenges, Antananarivo is home to several major historic landmarks and attractions, including the reconstructed royal palaces, Andafiavaratra Palace, Rainiharo’s tomb, Tsimbazaza Zoo, Mahamasina Stadium, Lake Anosy, four 19th-century martyr churches, and the Museum of Art and Archaeology.
Antananarivo traces its origins back to a town called Analamanga, which means “Blue Forest” in the local dialect of the Malagasy language.
The region was initially inhabited by the Vazimba, the island’s earliest known inhabitants. However, it was the Merina King Andrianjaka who arrived from the southeast coast and recognized the potential of the area, establishing it as the capital city.
Legend has it that King Andrianjaka led a force of 1,000 soldiers to conquer and secure the location of his capital.
The town of Analamanga, situated on a hill, became the heart of his kingdom. Over time, the hill and the city became known as Analamanga, and this name endured until the reign of King Andriamasinavalona.
In recognition of the bravery and loyalty displayed by Andrianjaka’s soldiers, King Andriamasinavalona renamed the city Antananarivo, meaning “City of the Thousand.”
This renaming not only honored the soldiers but also reflected the growth and significance of the city as the capital of the Merina Kingdom.
From its humble origins, Antananarivo would rise to become a powerful center of political, cultural, and economic influence in Madagascar.
History
Antananarivo emerged as a significant city even before the colonial period. After ousting the Vazimba inhabitants from the town located atop Analamanga hill, Andrianjaka, a Merina King, selected the site to establish his fortified royal compound known as the rova.
Over time, this compound expanded to encompass the royal palaces and tombs of the Merina rulers.
The exact founding date of the city is a subject of debate, with various accounts suggesting it was established around 1610 or 1625.
The early Merina kings utilized fanampoana, a system of statute labor, to construct an extensive network of irrigated rice paddies and dike around the city.
These paddy fields, including the notable Betsimitatatra, continued to serve as a vital source of rice for the growing population.
From the reign of King Andriamasinavalona, the successive Merina sovereigns governed the Kingdom of Imerina from Analamanga.
It was during Andriamasinavalona’s reign that the city received its present name. He established the Andohalo town square outside the city gate, where subsequent kings delivered their royal speeches and announcements to the public.
Furthermore, many locations within the city were named after similar sites in the nearby village of Antananarivokely.
Andriamasinavalona designated specific territories for the commoners (hova) and the noble subcastes (andriana), both within Antananarivo and its surrounding countryside.
These territorial divisions were strictly enforced, requiring each subcaste to reside within their designated areas and prohibiting extended stays in territories reserved for others.
Several fady, or taboos, were also imposed, such as restrictions on non-nobles constructing wooden houses and the presence of swine within the city limits.
After Andriamasinavalona’s death in 1710, Imerina fractured into four warring quadrants, with Antananarivo becoming the capital of the southern district.
During the ensuing 77-year civil war, the eastern district’s capital at Ambohimanga gained prominence.
However, it was Andrianampoinimerina, the last king of Ambohimanga, who ultimately conquered Antananarivo in 1793 and reunited the provinces of Imerina, effectively ending the civil strife.
He relocated the political capital back to Antananarivo in 1794, designating Ambohimanga as the kingdom’s spiritual capital.
Andrianampoinimerina also established a bustling marketplace in Analakely, which became the city’s economic center.
During the French Reign
In September 1894, the French military launched an invasion of Antananarivo. The queen of Madagascar surrendered when a cannon shell struck a building at the Rova, resulting in significant casualties.
Sadly, the damage inflicted on the Rova was never repaired. As part of their colonization efforts, the French administration proclaimed the island as a colony and designated Antananarivo as its capital, renaming it Tananarive.
The French authorities selected Antaninarenina as the location for the French Governor General’s Residency, which later became known as Ambohitsorohitra Palace and served as the presidential office following independence.
During the French colonial period, significant developments took place in the city. Andohalo square underwent a transformation, featuring the addition of a gazebo, walkways, and landscaped gardens.
To improve connectivity and facilitate urban expansion, tunnels were constructed through two of the city’s largest hills.
These tunnels served to link different districts together. The streets of Antananarivo were paved with cobblestones and later upgraded to more modern paving materials.
The introduction of sewer systems and electricity infrastructure brought essential services to the city. Previously, water had been sourced from springs at the base of the hill, but the French introduced a system to supply water from the Ikopa River.
Overall, the French colonial administration left a lasting impact on the physical infrastructure of Antananarivo, introducing significant improvements and modernization to the city.
Architecture
Prior to the mid-19th century, the construction materials used in Antananarivo and across Madagascar were mainly natural, such as wood, grasses, reeds, and other plant-based materials.
These materials were considered suitable for buildings used by the living. Stone, on the other hand, was reserved for family tombs as it was seen as an appropriate material for the deceased.
However, the introduction of brick-making by British missionaries in the 1820s brought a change to the architectural landscape.
French industrialist Jean Laborde played a significant role in promoting the use of stone and brick by constructing factories using these materials in the following decades.
It was not until the 1860s, when the royal edict on construction materials was lifted, that stone was finally utilized to encase the royal palace.
Inspired by the British missionaries’ two-story brick houses with verandas and divided interior spaces, many aristocrats embraced this architectural style, known as trano gasy or “Malagasy house,” in the haute ville (upper town).
The trano gasy model gained popularity rapidly and became the predominant style of house construction throughout the Central Highlands of Madagascar.
This architectural style featured wrapped verandas and divided interior spaces, providing a template for large homes.
The use of stone and brick brought durability and permanence to the buildings, marking a departure from the traditional reliance on natural materials.
Today, trano gasy houses continue to define the architectural landscape of the Central Highlands, showcasing the influence of both British and French introductions to construction techniques in Antananarivo and its surrounding regions.
Art
Antananarivo boasts the largest and liveliest arts scene in Madagascar. The city showcases the country’s rich and diverse music through a multitude of concerts, cabarets, dance clubs, and musical venues.
During the dry season, outdoor concerts take place in popular locations like the Antsahamanitra Amphitheater and Mahamasina Stadium.
These events cater primarily to the younger generation from middle to upper-class backgrounds who can afford the entrance fees.
The nightlife in Antananarivo is particularly vibrant in neighborhoods such as Antaninarenina, Tsaralalana, Behoririka, Mahamasina, and Andohalo, where various entertainment venues come to life after dark.
Overall, the arts and cultural scene in Antananarivo offers a vibrant and diverse array of entertainment options, showcasing the country’s talent and creativity in music, dance, theater, and more.
Also read: 10 Traditional Madagascar Food You Should Try Having Next
Source
https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/antananarivo-madagascar-1600s/
