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Madagascar National Symbols |
| Flag of Madagascar | Madagascar National Anthem | Madagascar National Animal | Madagasca National Tree (also Madagascar's national symbol) |
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Madagascar Flag |
The Madagascar flag came into being on 14 October 1958. It has two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green (bottom) with a vertical white band of the same width. The colours of the flag are commonly interpreted as follows:
- Red symbolises sovereignty
- White symbolises purity
- Green recalls the coastal inhabitants and is also a symbol of hope.
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Madagascar National Anthem |
Madagascar's National anthem has been in use since independence from France in 1958. |
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Malagasy Lyrics |
| Ry Tanindraza nay malala ô
Ry Madagasikara soa.
Ny fitiavanay anaotsy miala,
Fa ho anao ho anao doria tokoa.
CHORUS:
Tahionao ry Zanahary
'Ty No sindrazanay ity
Hiadana sy ho finaritra
He sambatra tokoa izahay.
Ry Tanindrazanay malala ô
Irinay mba hanompoan'anao
Ny tena sy fo fanahy anananay 'zay sarobidy
Sy mendrika tokoa.
CHORUS
Ry Tanindrazanay malala ô
Irinay mba hitahian' anao,
Ka Ilay Nahary 'zao ton tolo izao no
Fototra ijoroan, ny satanao.
CHORUS |
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| English Translation |
| O, our beloved fatherland,
O, fair Madagascar,
Our love will never decay,
But will last eternally.
CHORUS:
O, Lord Creator, do Thou bless
This Island of our Fathers,
That she may be happy and prosperous
For our own satisfaction.
O, our beloved fatherland,
Let us be thy servant
With body, heart and spirit
In dear and worthy service.
CHORUS
O, our beloved fatherland,
May God bless thee,
That created all lands;
In order He maintains thee.
CHORUS |
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Madagascar National Animal |
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Ring-tailed Lemurs are the designated national animal of Madagascar and they are found in forests and woods near rivers in the southern part of Madagascar Island.
Ring-tailed Lemurs have grayish brown backs and whitish gray stomachs, and there are black markings around the eyes and the nose. The most distinctive of their features, however, is a long bushy tail ringed in black and white, which is the origin of their name. |
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Madagascar National Tree |
The Baobab tree is both the national tree and the national symbol of Madagascar. Of the 8 species of Baobab in the world, 6 are endemic to Madagascar, suggesting that this is the true home of the Baobab!
The Baobab tree's size, age, and hollow trunk make it a practical place to find and store water, to provide shelter, perform sacred rites, and bury and remember ancestors. This makes it a central place of activity for the Malagasy. |
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