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Archival Research in Antananarivo, Madagascar: The National Archives1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 May 2014

Jeffrey C. Kaufmann
Jeffrey C. Kaufmann*
Affiliation:
University of Wisconsin–Madison, Université d'Antananarivo/Université de Toliara
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Extract

The Malagasy proverb “You can't catch a locust if your armpit is not close to the ground” (Ny valala tsy azo raha tsy andrian'elika) perhaps characterizes archival research in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. There are at least eight research facilities with archival materials in town: the National Archives (Foiben'ny Arisivam-Pirenena Malagasy); the Academie Malgache; CIDST (Centre d'Information et de Documentation Scientifique et Technique); the National Library (Tranomboky-Pirenena); the University Library; and three church archives (American Lutheran, Norwegian Lutheran, and Catholic). In this paper I give some background information on the collections in the National Archives, outline how to use the facilities, provide an annotated bibliography of the finding aids there, and give some tips for one's stay in Antananarivo.

Madagascar's National Archives inherited many documents from the monarchical period. At the beginning of the colonial administration, the French deposited royal documents at the Queen's Palace (Rova) in Antananarivo. During their occupation they added documents from the territorial and central administrations. The whole collection was transferred to French headquarters before the Malagasy direction of Civil Affairs was created. On 1 March 1958 the Service des Archives de Madagascar was instituted. From then on, the archives have been under the jurisdiction of the head of government.

The National Archives are remarkable for their materials on the following topics: the history of the Malagasy people; their customs and practices; and their way of thinking that distinguishes them from the majority of other people. Moreover, the National Archives have collections that do not exist in other libraries, such as the Academie Malagasy and CIDST.

Type
Research Article
Information
History in Africa , Volume 24 , January 1997 , pp. 413 - 429
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 1997

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Footnotes

1.

This paper stems from ongoing dissertation research entitled “Living Dry: People, Cattle, and Nature in Madagascar's Spiny Desert.” I thank my Malagasy research affiliates. Dr. Manassé Esoavelomandroso and Dr. Eléonore Nerine, for making it possible for me to conduct research in Madagascar. It was a pleasure to work in the National Archives, primarily because of the generous help of Mme Razoharinoro and Mme Rasoavonjena. Grateful acknowledgment of financial assistance is made to the University of Wisconsin–Madison Graduate School Fellowships. I thank the family of Joséphine Razakamanantsoa for letting me stay in their home. Finally, I benefited greatly from discussing various ideas with Sheila Paskman, Annie Philippe Rabodoarimiadana, Honorine Ranivoharisoa, and Raboay Zafimampionona Razakamanantsoa.

References

Notes

2. The chief archivist, Mme Hesline Rasoavonjena, answered many of my questions about the collections and their organization, though she is hardly responsible for any errors which may remain.

3. For further information write to Mme Razoharinora, Directeur des Archives Nationales, B. P. 3384, 23 rue Karija, Tsaralalàna, 101 Antananarivo MADAGASCAR. She can also be reached by phone at (261-2) 235-34 (the prefix “261” is the country code and “2” is the city code).

4. A “fond” is all of the documents concerning a theme or a person's activities. It contains one or several files. A “file” is all of the documents received concerning a specific event. Various themes in the same fond are cross-referenced in different subsections of a series.

5. See also, Razoharinoro, , Madagasikara sy Eoropa 1868–1887 (Madagascar and Europe). Antananarivo: Arisivim-Pirenena Malagasy, 1979.Google Scholar

6. In 1992, the Aron'ny Arisivan' i Madagasikara (ARAM) or Amis des Archives de Madagascar was formed. This is an association of individuals who are concerned about the protection of sources, in the National Archives and elsewhere, for the history of Madagascar. Its objective is to improve the protection and the usage of Malagasy archival sources. To realize this objective, the ARAM, with the support of the National Radio, has begun by improving the awareness of rural populations on the usefulness of archival collections.

7. The address is: Centre Culturel Américain, USIS/Madagascar, 4 rue Dr. Razafindratandra, Ambohidahy, 101 Antananarivo, Tel: 202-38, Fax: 213-97. Paul J. Saxton is the current Director and PAO, Sheila Paskman is the Deputy Director and APAO.