"Hot Mahajanga !" Mahajanga by Norali

Mahajanga Travel Guide: 12 reviews and 26 photos

Le baobab

I don't even say that my page is under construction, knowing that I would not have time to build a decent page...

Here: the multicentennial baobab tree, the emblem of the city.

Ricksaw

a pousse-pousse city

More than ever, the city is the one that really needs this type of transportation.

Weather is so hot that people avoid walking in the afternoon.

This is then the most common transportation means in the warmest region of Madagascar.

The West coast is the home of the Sakalava & Antalaotra clans as Antananarivo province is the home of the Merina people. Antalaotra people are "people from the laout": "laout", in Malayomealnesian language meaning "sea". Antalaotra people were the Muslim foreigners that used to settle in the area either for good either for the sake of their trading businesses: spice, slave, other commodities trading. Eventually, those persons got children with Sakalava women and from there came the still existing clan of Antalaotra. They lived apart from the Sakalava, in their own quartier (the nowadays "Quartier Général" of Mahajanga).

However, Sakalava people have influences from Arabs, Persians since the latter already inhabited the area in 11th and 12th centuries. Hence the relatively high pecentage of Muslim Malagasy in this part of the country (less than 5% of Madagascar population is Muslim). To the Arabs and Persians, there are the Indo-Pakistanese who were brought there by the French and who are still considered as immigrants. Both Muslim Arabs and Indo-Pakistanese have left some patterns on the architecture of the buildings. It is common to see women with either sari either the Muslim attire for women.

The history of this area is fascinating (at least for me) as it being part of the Spice Track that liaised parts of Africa (Zanzibar is not that far), Arabian coasts and SE Asia. Not so simple as I tended to sum up, with its share of intricacies.. I would tell more in the future as soon as I finish the first English-written book I'm reading on the histories of clans, areas, pirates of Madagascar.

Apart from those foreigners, Mahajanga use to welcome Merina people and people from further South who went there decades ago to earn their living. Then, there are the French and Greeks. Much fewer Chinese families than in, say, Tana or Toamasina.

Besides, whilst Chinese immigrants are the biggest minority group in Toamasina, Indo-Pakistanese make up the bulk of immigrants in Mahajanga, mostly active in commerce (so were the Antalaotra people whose settlement could be traced back to the 10th century).

Mahajanga is probably the most cosmopolitan area of Madagascar.

Off course!

Bathing in urban area is impossible though Amborovy beach, my fave, is superb. It serves as holiday home for rich families in Mahajanga, and even in Madagascar since they have their "secondes résidences" there...

As for those who go to Amborovy to enjoy the beach (like I did), those are the average tourists that stay in hotels or at families'.

Pros and Cons

Pros:The view on the bay from Jardin Damour ;-) Amborovy beach, nightlife
Cons:Heat, May soon become too crowded with holidaymakers
In a nutshell:Perfect for those who seek for heat, nightlife in those crowded dives

Intro Updated Jun 18, 2005
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Reviews (12)

A Ravinala in Cirques Rouges site - Mahajanga

Cirques rouges Things to Do (2)

Apart from beach activity and sightseeing in their urban area, visiting Cirques Rouges site may be interesting. It's... more travel advice

Bombetoka / Mahajanga Bay, facing Katsepy - Mahajanga

A solution: nipping over suburbs for the... Things to Do (2)

If beach activities are what you expect most of your stay in Mahajanga: you'll have to nip over Village Touristique or... more travel advice

Not Village Touristique but Amborovy - Mahajanga

Don't miss Beignets de crevettes ! Restaurants (1)

Chez Caron is located in Village Touristique, where, in the contrary to the beach around the baobab tree & along... more travel advice

Frangipani, Frangipani... Favorites (5)

Be it in the gardens of Royal Palace of Antananarivo, in the streets of Toamasina city or in Toliara... you will be... more travel advice

What to Pack (1)
Everything to protect you from the sun...
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Travelogues (2)

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Comments (12)

fabrice Oct 19, 2007 at 1:22 AM Report Abuse

ces baobabs et banians sont incroyables
AnitaJRT Jan 22, 2006 at 9:15 AM Report Abuse

Fabulous photo -- what a great "eye" you have!!! Great page.
Helga67 Jun 23, 2005 at 10:35 PM Report Abuse

There are some peculiar trees and I love the frangipani. Good tips
ukirsari May 20, 2005 at 2:26 AM Report Abuse

hi noor :) a nice page also here!!!! i am awaiting for summer hols :D
mke1963 Feb 4, 2005 at 7:18 AM Report Abuse

Your Majunga page and the tips and reviews reminds me very nicely of the town. I lived there 14 years ago. Seems not much has changed. - Mark
jessicadf Oct 20, 2004 at 11:09 AM Report Abuse

Ah, I love the baobob!
wcph Sep 27, 2004 at 10:14 PM Report Abuse

Now I know a little about a place I haven't heard of before. (^-^)
Ivan_Jimenez Feb 10, 2004 at 6:22 AM Report Abuse

Mahajanga!!! what a funky name!!! Mahajanga.... sounds like Pachanga...
nomorewars Jan 5, 2004 at 3:36 PM Report Abuse

I respect you for your admiration of nature. I love the pictures of the trees.
acemj Aug 19, 2003 at 8:07 AM Report Abuse

Love those trees and good advice on patience. Happy birthday!!!