Madagascar
"Ry Tanindraza nay malala ô" (Oh, Our Beloved Fatherland)

Words by: Pasteur Rahajason
Music by: Norbert Raharisoa
Adopted: 1958

The music of the national anthem was composed by Norbert Raharisoa, a music teacher and professor. The words were written by Pasteur Rahajason, a priest. It was first performed in the public when Madagascar was declared an autonomous republic within the Union Française. The parliament officially adopted the anthem on April 27,1959. Therefore Madagascar already had a national anthem when it achieved full independence on 26th June 1960.

See also: Madagascar (to 1896).