Memory of the World; 2012 - unesdoc - Unesco

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Royal archives (1824–1897)
Inscribed 2009
What is it
The collection comprises the royal archives, old
journals, registers of Sakaizambohitra (village officials)
and registry office documents from the 19th-century
Kingdom of Madagascar.
Why were they inscribed
These archives record key elements in the foundation
of Madagascar’s identity, including the exercise of the
royal authority, the end of absolute monarchy and
the rise to power of the common people, its external
relations, particularly with Western colonial powers,
and social and economic progress.
Where are they
National Archives, Antananarivo, Madagascar
The 19th century was a watershed in Madagascar’s
history, being the starting point for a number of changes
associated with the Kingdom of Madagascar and the
country’s entry into the modern era. For the first time,
with the creation of the Kingdom of Madagascar, a
single authority ruled over the whole of the territory.
Over time the power of the monarchy started to decline
and the crown became increasingly symbolic, while its
prerogatives were gradually taken over by the powerful
Hova clan, represented by the prime minister, who held
full executive authority. On the cultural level, the century
witnessed the introduction of the Latin alphabet to write
down the Malagasy language, the spread of Christianity,
the emergence of the professions and the growth
of Western-style education.
In the 19th century, Madagascar, in the southwest
of the Indian Ocean, held an important position in the
geopolitical competition between the great powers. This
eventually resulted in its annexation by France in 1896 after
the French, under General Duchesne, invaded in 1895.
The royal archives contain written documents that were
recovered by General Duchesne, and include the archives
of high-ranking figures in the Kingdom of Madagascar.
The royal archives cover the period from 1824 to 1896
and recount events from the adoption of the Latin
alphabet by King Radama I to the proclamation of
334 Royal archives (1824–1897)
the Law of Annexation by France in 1896. The archives
include information and personal accounts of social
and economic change and progress, the evolution
of thought and morality, political power and its application,
local administration, as recorded in the registers of
Sakaizambohitra (village officials), relations with religious
missions and with international partners. They provide
information on the history of families, their genealogy,
their way of life and standard of living and their property.
The royal archives are original manuscript documents
in the form of paper, loose sheets, books and registers,
together with some photographs. The faded ink is illegible
in many cases. The language used in the documents
is mostly Malagasy, while French, English, Italian and
German is also used. The archives’ historical importance
has grown since a destructive fire at the royal residences
(Anatirova) in 1995 made the archives one of the few
reminders of the past.
Queen Ranavalona III, the last monarch of Madagascar, ruled
from 1883 until the French occupation of the island in 1896.
The Royal archives contain much information on her reign. �