Madagascar Fun! Poem by Margaret Kollmer

The first President Tsiranana*
Got lost in the Tsaratanana.
When along came a boa:
“Fianarantsoa
Is a good place for famadihana.”

“Just so, but the Antainambalana
At night brings me much fisainana.
Here the lemur, or aye-aye
Cry out if you bye-bye:
“You first pay your fokowolona.”

“No, No, ” cried the boa, constricted
“That’s not how our island’s depicted
Our toucans and vangas
Are known for their tangas
To money we are not addicted.”

“Ah yes, ” said a fellow Sanchez
“I’m shy, don’t you look at my fez.”
Said boa: “You’re handsome
Not bad for a ransom….
Diego is good, ‘Suarez.’ (God is good, sure is!)

*after the island achieved full independence from France as a republic in 1960. In 1992 Madagascar achieved constitutional reform by referendum and their first multiparty elections were won by Democrat coalition. In 1993 Albert Zafy, leader of the coalition, was elected President.






.