Gung Fu in Madagascar

[diego]

Very interesting article, talks about spiritual Gung Fu and revolution...running a google search now:)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1948288.stm

[diego]

The next major internal threat surfaced in the mid-1980s, when about 6,000 members of various Chinese martial arts Kung-Fu associations battled the Tanora Tonga Saina (TTS), which acted as Ratsiraka's private presidential security force. Problems started in September 1984, after Ratsiraka banned the practice of martial arts, which led to several clashes between Kung-Fu adherents and the TTS. On December 4, 1984, a larger confrontation occurred when Kung-Fu groups attacked TTS headquarters in Behorika, and killed more than 100 TTS members. Kung-Fu demonstrations continued for the next few years. Finally, on July 31, 1986, army units supported by twelve armored cars and helicopters demolished Kung-Fu headquarters in Antananarivo, and killed the movement's leader and about 200 of his followers."

http://www.wildmadagascar.org/overview/loc/46-security.html

[diego]

AROUND THE WORLD; 30 Said to Die as Youths Battle in Madagascar

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REUTERS
Published: December 6, 1984

About 30 people were killed and several others were hurt Tuesday when kung fu devotees clashed with unemployed youths here, the Madagascar radio reported today.

Witnesses said they saw people shot around the headquarters of the Awareness Association, a state-sponsored craft cooperative of unemployed youths, where the fighting occurred.

No official confirmation of the fighting was immediately available, and no motive was known, although the radio said the martial arts devotees had set fire to the cooperative building.

Kung fu was banned in Madagascar in September, setting off riots in the capital. An official said the ban was an attempt to stem urban crime committed mainly by kung fu practitioners.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A04E1DD1538F935A35751C1A9629482 60

[diego]

very interesting...I need video:)

Madagascar Frees 245

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REUTERS
Published: March 7, 1988

LEAD: A special court in Madagascar has ordered the release of 245 people held in detention since 1985 in connection with riots by kung-fu enthusiasts the previous year. Radio Madagascar said the court issued sentences that ranged up to two years in jail, but because the prisoners had been in detention longer than that, the effect was to free them.

A special court in Madagascar has ordered the release of 245 people held in detention since 1985 in connection with riots by kung-fu enthusiasts the previous year. Radio Madagascar said the court issued sentences that ranged up to two years in jail, but because the prisoners had been in detention longer than that, the effect was to free them. The kung-fu movement, which practices martial arts, was banned after enthusiasts and jobless youths rioted in 1984. Troops were later used to round up kung-fu enthusiasts in an effort to stem a crime wave.