Famous Malagasy · Madagascar

The king who reunited the Merina kingdom around Antananarivo and made it the capital. His motto: “the sea is the limit of my rice field”.

Son of Andrianampoinimerina; opened the kingdom to the outside world and had the Malagasy language written in the Latin alphabet.

A powerful queen who fought hard to keep Madagascar independent from European powers.

The last monarch of Madagascar, exiled when the island became a French colony; her remains returned to the Rova in 1938.

Considered the first great modern poet of Africa writing in French; his poems mix Malagasy imagery and French verse.

Led Madagascar to independence on 26 June 1960 and became the first president of the republic.

The legendary sodina (bamboo flute) player who carried Malagasy traditional music to stages around the world.

Long-time captain and record goalscorer of the Barea, who led the team on its historic 2019 Africa Cup of Nations run.