On May 18, the celebration of the 45th of the Catholic school Sevema (Sekoly Venance Manifatra) took place in Ambanja. Various activities hosted the capital of Sambirano as a tribute to a great man in the Grande-Île.
Venance Manifatra, the Jesuit priest fought for Madagascar against French colonization in the early 1910s. Born in Nosy-Be on May 18, 1862, died in 1926, this man continued his studies in theology in Antananarivo, then in Reunion, before becoming a teacher at Fianarantsoa and Tamatave. His name appears in school books. However, there are few who know him in his native region, except the students of the Sevema.
Indeed, this Catholic officiant, after the fierce fight against the French installation in the northwest of the country led by its ancestors Sakalava, took over, but in a fairly subtle way. Having the opportunity to teach in establishments in previously cited regions, he would have instilled in the minds of his disciples the love of the fatherland. Like his contemporary Jean Ralaimongo, Venance Manifatra has helped shape the Malagasy nation. However, few people talk about his actions in the North. His portrait deserves to be highlighted in local cultural places, such as the University of Antsiranana.
The historical account of local elites remains little forward in the collective memory, no doubt because of its seniority. Nevertheless, knowledge of the past is an effective weapon to overcome the current adversity. Retaining the date of the creation of VVS and the names of its co -founders is not enough. Even if this era is over, the story of these great-grandfits still serves as a landmark. So, omitting the work provided by this parish priest “Mahery Fo” would be a serious omission for collective memory.
In the biographical dictionary of African Christians, Raymond Duval writes: ” He was a tireless worker endowed with a vast culture and a great artistic sense. He engaged in translation work and made up articles. He wrote in Malagasy several news gathered in a much appreciated brochure entitled “Atsy Ary.” Excellent musician, very demanded as singing director, he composed a good number of Malagasy hymns who came to enrich the catalog of hymns then in use in churches ». Scholar and talented, Father Manifatra is a figure still unknown in his region!
ISS HERIDINY
