Ny Avana Ramanantoanina facts for kids

Ny Avana Ramanantoanina (born 1891, died 1940) was a very famous writer from Madagascar. He is best known for his amazing poems, but he also wrote stories and plays. He lived and wrote during a time when France ruled Madagascar. He was one of the first Malagasy writers to put secret political messages into his work. He mostly wrote in the Malagasy language.

Ny Avana Ramanantoanina was a friend of Jean-Joseph Rabearivelo, another important poet. While Rabearivelo was known for using Western writing styles, Ramanantoanina often criticized the French rulers. He was part of a secret group that wanted Madagascar to be free. Because of this, he was sent away to Mayotte in the Comoros islands in 1917. His writings were also banned for a long time. They were not printed again until the 1980s. This is why his work is not as well known around the world as Rabearivelo's.

Early Life and Education

Ramanantoanina was born in 1891 in Ambatofotsy. This is a town near Antananarivo, the capital city of Madagascar. His family used to be part of the Merina aristocracy, which was a group of noble families. However, this system ended when France took over Madagascar in 1896.

He went to a private Protestant school. After finishing his education, he started writing and publishing his work. He was only 16 years old! He used the pen name Ny Avana, which means "rainbow." He quickly became popular with his early poem, Chant de fiancailles (Wedding Engagement Song), published in 1907.

A Poet with a Message

Ramanantoanina was one of the first Malagasy poets to try and create a special style for Malagasy poetry. Later writers called him and his friends Ny Mpanoratra zokiny, meaning "The Elders."

His poems were inspired by a traditional Malagasy poetry style called hainteny. He included feelings like embona (nostalgia, or missing the past) and hanina (longing, or wanting something badly). He used these feelings to encourage the Malagasy people to unite. He also wanted them to remember and return to their traditional values.

Facing Challenges and His Return

After being sent away, Ramanantoanina returned from the Comoros islands in 1922. Because of his past, he could not get a good job with the French government. Instead, he worked as a clerk in a book shop in the capital city. He earned only a small amount of money.

During this time, his writings began to show feelings of disappointment and sadness. He started a writing group called Mitady ny Very, which means "Search for Lost Values." On August 5, 1931, he launched a literary magazine called Fandrosoam-baovao (New Progress). He worked on this magazine with other writers, including Jean-Joseph Rabearivelo and Charles Rajoelisolo. He passed away in 1940 in Antananarivo.

A Lasting Legacy

After Madagascar became independent in 1960, Ramanantoanina's writings became very important. They were used to show that many Malagasy leaders in Antananarivo had wanted freedom during the time of French rule. Today, there is a street named after him in Antananarivo, honoring his contributions.