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Since the first settlements on the island, until the arrival of the Islamic Arab population, the history of the eastern region had only
been known through fragments of Arab-Persian texts, archaeological artifacts and mythological stories. Historical sequences became
better known with the appearance of the Europeans from the 16th century onward. These seafaring explorers left written testimonies
of their trips to Madagascar. Archives in Portugal and the Netherlands contain several descriptions, but remain difficult to read. There
were many French books on Madagascar from the mid-17th century, in particular the monumental work of Flacourt (1661, 2007). In
the 19th century, British and Norwegian missionaries wrote books combining their missionary work and references to the Malagasy
way of life.
Each European nation had very different actions towards Madagascar. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to touch Madagascar
in the early 16th century. In a rush to get spices from India, they only passed through briefly. Their presence was highlighted by wars
with the local population having plundered trading posts on the west coast. The east coast was spared.
In the following century, other Europeans, such as the French and the Dutch, were highly present in the region between Toamasina
and Sainte Marie, and Antongil Bay. The French, who had settled in Tolagnaro (Fort Dauphin) since the mid-17th century, regularly
sent ships there to pick up rice and cattle. After they abandoned Fort Dauphin in 1674, the French gradually settled on the island of
Reunion, which was called Bourbon at the time. They would gradually scatter throughout the eastern region, from Maroantsetra to
Toamasina, through Sainte Marie. However, the manpower need of this new colony, Reunion, was the start of the slave trade. Some
Malagasy people were exported as slaves to work in plantations.
This European period was also highlighted by the emergence of Pirates. Dismissed from the Caribbean, they found refuge in this
region of the Indian Ocean. Antongil Bay was one of their bases, where they boarded any ship in danger. Some of them maintained
good relations with the local population. Their presence and activities contributed to the interbreeding of the population and the
proliferation of firearms. Supported by these
vazaha
, meaning ‘foreigner’ in Malagasy, the local leaders easily won fights against their
lesser armed rivals.
