Highlights: Madagascar: women, those forgotten by the insurrections of March 1947. A “ forgotten ” aspect that a historian set out to repair. Shannaëlle Armanaly wants to exhume these battles and these stories. She believes that as a historian, we have a duty to highlight the work of all the actors in a historical event. “It is a duty of memory to deal with the problem of women in 1947, ” says Armanally.

The month of March in Madagascar is punctuated each year by commemorations of the insurrection of March 1947. A pivotal date in the history of the Big Island, since the revolts initiated during…

Madagascar: women, those forgotten by the insurrections of March 1947

The month of March in Madagascar is punctuated each year by the commemorations of the insurrection of March 1947. A pivotal date in the history of the Big Island, since the revolts initiated during this month mark a turning point in the relationship of domination exercised by the French colonial power.

However, as numerous as they are, studies on this period of Malagasy history all have in common that they have neglected the role played by women.

A “

forgotten

” aspect that a historian set out to repair.

Memorial to the 1947 uprising in Madagascar.

Robin Taylor from Bamako, Mali/cc-by-2.0

By: RFI Follow

When history researcher Shannaëlle Armanaly began to take an interest in the role of women during the March 1947 insurrection, her teacher replied that “

women in Madagascar did not participate at all in the events of 1947

”.

An answer that does not satisfy the researcher.

In a few weeks, she discovered a multitude of documents which mention the names of women, most of them completely unknown today: Rakrisy Ramarovoa, Henriette Ravelomanantsoa, Marthe Razafiarisoa, Augustine Razafindrasoary, Henriette Vita, Delphine Todihana, the king's daughters Tanala Manambola…

“

The archival documents that I subsequently found clearly show us that in addition to Ms. Gisèle Rabesahala who was already very well known as an activist, there are many other women who remain in the blind spot of the subject

, explains the researcher.

I think that as a historian, we have a duty to highlight the work of all the actors in a historical event.
It is a duty of memory to deal with the problem of women in 1947.

”

Also read: Madagascar: insurrection of March 29, 1947, the underside of a revolt

More “

than names in lists
”

Those in the countryside would also have participated, notably by creating clandestine communication channels.

“

They passed messages between the different insurgents in the different villages.
Their participation is undeniable and was vital for the smooth running of this revolt

,” insists Shannaëlle Armanaly.

Insurgents who received prison sentences, who were tortured, and even who were eliminated.

But “

unlike men, today they are just names in lists,

” she laments.

The historian wishes to exhume these battles and these stories, like that of Zèle Rasoanoro.

“

She was a journalist who assisted Ms. Gisèle Rabesahala in her work, during her discussion circles.
She was imprisoned from 1948 to 1950. Not much is known, except that she was a "political prisoner".
We will especially remember that in 1950, a few months after her release from prison, we no longer have any traces of her.
She disappeared from the radar.

» According to the researcher, this is a destiny that should be investigated to offer the population a more complete vision of the figures who worked for the independence of Madagascar.

Also read Madagascar-1947: memories of repression, testimonies from descendants (3/5)

Madagascar: women, those forgotten by the insurrections of March 1947

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