Opening the Door on History: Preserving Madagascar's Indo-Arabian Carved Doors

To support the preservation of the carved wooden doors of Mahajanga Province through documentation and research.

Indian, Arab, Swahili merchants brought the doors to Northwestern Madagascar in the 18th and 19th century when the cities of Maorvoay and Mahajanga were important sites in the Indian Ocean trade network.

The doors are evidence of the Indian and Arab influence on the area but are deteriorating rapidly and are being sold by people unaware of their cultural value. About 75 doors have been found so far, some containing Islamic or western Indian decorative motifs.