** Madagascar: 78 years after the 1947 insurrection, contemporary memory and resonances **
March 29, 2025 will mark an important course in the history of Madagascar. Indeed, it will be 78 years that the Malagasy have risen against French colonial oppression, marking a turning point in anti -colonial resistance not only in Madagascar, but also throughout sub -Saharan Africa. This tragic event, although remarkable for its courage and its spirit of resistance, remains an open wound in the collective memory of the Malagasy. But what about its current interpretation in a world where identity movements and decolonizers are gaining momentum?
### A story of resistance and repression
The climate of tension that led to the 1947 insurgency is the result of years of friction. Madagascar had been under the French colonial yoke since 1896, during which colonial practices systematically robbed the earth, ignored the rights of the Malagasy and led to a loss of political autonomy. The insurrection itself was the result of a long process of accumulated frustrations.
The figures concerning the victims of French repression vary considerably, with estimates ranging from 12,000 to 23,000 dead. This human tragedy has left scars not only on devastated families, but also on the social and cultural fabric of the nation. Globally, this invites an examination of colonial crimes which, in many cases, still remain not recognized by the ancient colonizing powers. Few nations officially apologized for their actions during this period, reflecting a manifest lack of political maturity.
### Vive memories in the present
What is fascinating in the report of Fatshimetrics is the way in which Miarina, a young Malagasy of 10 years, embodies this collective memory. Through his account, we perceive an intergenerational continuity celebrated each year, but also a vulnerability before a history sometimes engulfed by contemporary political and media discourses. While it is essential to commemorate these events, it is just as crucial to keep a critical look at the present.
The memory of the insurrection is today instrumentalized by political actors, fueling a discourse which aims to be patriotic but which, according to observers like Vololona, can paradoxically hide persistent inequalities within Malagasy society. This phenomenon is not isolated: in other post-colonial contexts, similar movements have been observed, where the memory of anti-colonial struggles is used for current political purposes, diverting the original message of struggle for justice and equality.
### Modern parallels
The wrestling of the Malagasy for dignity and freedom resonates today with other struggles around the world. Let us take into consideration the Black Lives Matter movement, which, although distinct on many aspects, shares this quest for historical recognition and justice. In both cases, the descendants of the oppressed demand a dialogue not only on the past, but also a corrective action in the present.
On the economic level, Madagascar, like other countries having experienced a colonial past, continues to struggle with unequal structures which preserve the privileges of some while maintaining others in persistent precariousness. The question of the reappropriation of natural resources, an issue of the 1947 insurgency continues to haunt the nation, while multinationals exploiting the riches of the island without the benefits returning to the Malagasy.
### to a new understanding
The memory of the 1947 insurgency is more than just commemoration; It is a call for action. He encourages to reflect on the role that everyone can play in the pursuit of social and economic justice. In this sense, the future of Madagascar is based on its ability to dialogue on its past while considering a future inclusive. The work of artists, educators, and historians will be decisive in this quest for identity, both to honor yesterday’s sacrifices and to light the way to a prosperous future.
The 1947 insurrection deserves to be recognized not only as a tragic page of Malagasy history, but as a catalyst for a renewed commitment to justice and social equality. Ultimately, the memory of these struggles must carry the voice of the voiceless and fuel contemporary concerns in order to really close the painful chapters of the past while aspiring in a better future.