Jacques Rabemananjara facts for kids

Jacques Rabemananjara (born June 23, 1913 – died April 1, 2005) was an important person from Madagascar. He was a Malagasy politician, a writer of plays, and a poet. He held high positions in the government, even becoming the Vice President of Madagascar. Many people considered Rabemananjara to be one of the most active writers of his time. He was also the first to publish poetry related to the "négritude" movement. This movement celebrated Black culture and identity.

Early Life and Education

Jacques Rabemananjara was born in Maroantsetra, a town in eastern Madagascar. This was on June 23, 1913. His family belonged to the Betsimisaraka people.

He started his schooling on the island of Sainte-Marie, Madagascar. Later, he moved to the capital city, Antananarivo, to finish his studies at a seminary.

In 1935-1936, Rabemananjara was in charge of a monthly magazine for young people in Madagascar. Its name was Revue des Jeunes de Madagascar. The authorities stopped its publication after 10 issues. This magazine was an early example of political writing. It came before other well-known writings about the "négritude" movement.

His Writing Career

Even though his magazine was stopped, Rabemananjara was chosen to visit Paris in 1939. He went there for a special event celebrating the French Revolution. While in Paris, he studied administration at the Sorbonne.

He also published his first collection of poems, called On the Steps of the Evening. In Paris, he met other important African writers. These included Léopold Sédar Senghor from Senegal and Alioune Diop. They all worked together on an important journal called Presence Africaine. This journal focused on African studies.

His early poems were written in a classical style. They explored the early history of Madagascar. His 1940 work, Sur les marches du soir, was about Queen Ranavalona III. The French colonial rulers had forced her to leave Madagascar in 1897.

Rabemananjara also wrote a play called Les dieux malgaches. This was the first modern Malagasy play written in French. It explored Madagascar's past before it was colonized. It also talked about the time King Radama II was removed from power in 1863.

In Politics

After World War II, Rabemananjara met Raset Ravoahangy. Together, they helped create a political group. It was called the Democratic Movement for the Renovation of Madagascar (MDRM).

In 1946, Rabemananjara was elected to represent the Tamatave region. He became a member of the National Assembly for Madagascar. As a journalist, he even interviewed Ho Chi Minh during this time.

He was suspected of being involved in the Malagasy Uprising of 1947. This was even though he had asked people to remain calm. He was arrested and unfairly sentenced to a harsh prison term.

While he was in prison, he continued to write. He wrote several collections of poems, including Antsa, Lamba, and Antidote. Rabemananjara was finally set free in 1956.

After his release, he attended an important meeting in Paris. This was the first International Congress of Black Writers and Artists. He was one of the main speakers at this event. It was supported by UNESCO and was celebrated even 50 years later.

He lived in France until Madagascar became independent in 1960. The new president, Philibert Tsiranana, asked him to join the government. Rabemananjara served in several ministries and became the Vice President.

Later Years and Legacy

After a revolution in 1972, Rabemananjara chose to live in exile again. He stayed in France for 20 years. He passed away in France on April 1, 2005.

Major Works

Poetry Collections

• Sur les marches du soir (1940)
• Rites millénaires (1955)
• Antsa (1956)
• Lamba (1956)
• Antidote (1961)
• Les ordalies, sonnets d'outre-temps (1972)
• Oeuvres complètes, poésie (1978)
• Thrènes d'avant l'aurore: Madagascar (1985)
• Rien qu'encens et filigrane (1987)

Essays

• Témoignage malgache et nationalisme (1956)
• Nationalisme et problèmes malgaches (1958)

Plays

• Les dieux malgaches (1947)
• Agape des dieux Tritiva: Une tragédie (1962)
• Les boutriers de l'aurore (1957)

Awards and Recognition

• 1988: He received the Grand prix de la francophonie. This is a major award for French-speaking writers.
• 1997: A special event called "Salon de la Plume Noire" in Paris honored him.
• He was a member of "l'Academie Nationale des Arts, des Lettres et des Sciences de Madagascar." This is a prestigious academy for arts, literature, and science in Madagascar.

See also