Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MAJUNGA (MAHAJANGA)
POP 209,000
Majunga is a sprawling and somnolent port town with a palm-lined seaside promenade,
shady arcades and walls draped with gorgeous bougainvillea. With its large Comoran and
Indian populations, and historical connections with Africa, it is one of the most colourful
and ethnically diverse places in Madagascar.
The city has long been a favourite holiday destination for Malagasies (it gets particularly
busy from July to September), with its easy access from Tana, lovely climate and seaside
location.
History
Majunga and the bay of Bombetoka have been occupied since the 9th century. Arab traders
established a number of trading posts along the coast in the 13th and 14th centuries, and the
area became a thriving commercial crossroads between the Malagasy highlands, East Africa
and the Middle East.
Swahili and Gujarati traders settled in Majunga and the nearby town of Marovoay in the
19th century; these communities were known for the exquisitely carved wooden doors that
adorned their houses, and a few can still be admired in Majunga and Marovoay.
Because of Majunga's strategic location, the French selected it as the base for their milit-
ary operations in 1895, which ended with Madagascar becoming a French colony.
SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES
La Corniche
NEIGHBOURHOOD
Majunga is all about the Corniche, the palm-lined promenade bordering the sea made up
of Blvd Poincarré and Blvd Marcoz. In the evening, residents come here to enjoy a stroll
under the setting sun, sip a soft drink or nibble kebabs from the dozen street carts. Dur-
ing school holidays (July to September), it has a fair-like atmosphere, with makeshift (and
slightly scary-looking) Ferris wheels, horses to ride on and families having a great time.
At the T-junction with Ave de France, there is an enormous
baobab tree
(circumference:
21m!) thought to be well over 700 years old. It is considered
fady
(taboo) to touch it.
