Mission guide

Madagascar Antananarivo North Mission

Antananarivo is Madagascar’s highland capital and the setting for the Madagascar Antananarivo North Mission.

  • Malagasy
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Madagascar Antananarivo North Mission Heart Map design

Madagascar Antananarivo North Mission shirts

Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.

Madagascar Antananarivo North Mission T-Shirt in Solid White, front view

Madagascar Antananarivo North Mission T-Shirt

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Madagascar Antananarivo North Mission Heart Map shirt in White: Madagascar outline with a red heart, front view

Madagascar Antananarivo North Mission Heart Map Shirt

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Madagascar Antananarivo North Mission Flag Map shirt in White: flag of Madagascar in the outline of Madagascar with navy lettering, front view

Madagascar Antananarivo North Mission Flag Map Shirt

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I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission

2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.

I Glory in My Jesus shirt in Malagasy on White: “Mirehareha ny amin’i Jesoako aho”, 2 Nefia 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – Malagasy

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in Malagasy, white ink on Dark Chocolate: “Mirehareha ny amin’i Jesoako aho”, 2 Nefia 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink) – Malagasy

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About the mission

The Madagascar Antananarivo North Mission is centered in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. The city stands in the island’s central highlands and serves as an important Church center.

Malagasy is the main local language. Missionaries and families may also encounter French in Madagascar, but Malagasy is the language identified for this mission.

At a glance

Country
Madagascar
Main city
Antananarivo, 1,274,225 people in the 2018 census
Time zone
East Africa Time (UTC+3)
Climate
Subtropical highland climate, with mild dry winters and warm rainy summers
Language
Malagasy
Church in Madagascar
20,395 members, 5 stakes, 52 congregations

A short history of the area

Antananarivo was founded around 1610 or 1625 by Merina King Andrianjaka, who established his capital on the site after expelling the Vazimba inhabitants. The city was first called Analamanga, meaning “Blue Forest.” King Andriamasinavalona later renamed it Antananarivo, meaning “City of the Thousand,” honoring the 1,000 soldiers said to have guarded the site.

Antananarivo became the political capital of the reunited Kingdom of Imerina in 1794. Missionary artisans arrived in 1820 and opened the city’s first public schools. French forces took the city in the 1890s, and Antananarivo remained Madagascar’s capital after independence in 1960.

The Church here

  1. 1986Razanapanala Rameandricso, identified as Madagascar’s first member, was baptized in Bordeaux, France.
  2. 1989Razanapanala Rameandricso returned to Madagascar and began teaching the gospel to a small group in his home.
  3. 1990President Girard Giraud-Carrier of the Mascarene Islands Mission visited Madagascar, and the first five converts were baptized.
  4. 1993The Church received legal status in Madagascar on July 13.
  5. 1998The Madagascar Antananarivo Mission was created on July 1.
  6. 1999A mission home that also served as a meetinghouse was dedicated in Antananarivo on May 9 by Elder Dennis E. Simmons.
  7. 2000The Antananarivo Madagascar Stake was created on September 17.
  8. 2000The Book of Mormon was translated into Malagasy.

Temples nearby

Antananarivo Madagascar Temple

Under construction · Near Antananarivo

Harare Zimbabwe Temple

Dedicated March 1, 2026 · About 1085 miles from Antananarivo

The Book of Mormon here

Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.

Malagasy Read it free →

Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Before you go

Phrases to learn

  • SalamaHello
  • Manao ahoana?How are you?
  • MisaotraThank you
  • AzafadyPlease or excuse me

Foods to try

  • Romazava (a traditional beef stew with leafy greens)
  • Ravitoto (crushed cassava leaves, often cooked with meat or coconut milk)
  • Vary amin'anana (rice cooked with leafy greens)
  • Mofo gasy (small Malagasy rice cakes or pancakes)

Fun facts

  • At about 1,280 meters above sea level, Antananarivo is the highest national capital among the island countries.
  • The city occupies three ridges, and the royal palace at the summit can be seen from the city and surrounding hills.
  • The historic Zoma Friday market once filled the valley with white-parasol stalls and was described as the largest open-air marketplace in the world.

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