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933
Omani Sailors Discover The Comoros Islands
In 933 A.D, Omani sailors had sailed to the Comoros islands. They had named it the “Perfume islands” because of the scent of a perfume found at the Comoros islands called the ylang-ylang. The Omani sailors had been known to brave mountainous waves of ocean and the other terrors of ocean-travel. They had a vast amount of knowledge such as seasonal weather patterns, as well as astronomy and the art of navigation. -
1527
Comoros on the map
In 1527, Portuguese cartographer Diego Ribero was the first to draw Comoros on the European map. This was pretty significant for other explorers so they also can find the islands to discover many thing about them. It was also significant all around because the islands would not really be found by others if there is no way to locate it. This wasn't the first discovery of Comoros considering the arabs found long ago but never put it on the map. -
Slavery
In 1648, slaving raids began in Comoros by the Sakalava of the west coasts of Madagascar. Slaves around the seventeenth century was an important export commodity. This is significant because this falls back into the Slave Trade were different travelers, mostly Portuguese, went to Africa to bring different slaves. They captured thousands of them and carried them out in canoes. They soon got sold in the “French-occupied” Madagascar to work in sugar plantations. -
French Protectorates
In 1841, the French wanted to find a way to extend their power and trade on with the Comoros. French representatives arrived at the “Island of Maore” and arranged a treaty with the Sultan Sakalava Maore. He agreed to arranged an exchange of the island with the French for 1000 piastres. Soon the island of Maore belonged to the French. Once the French established the protectorate over Maore, the island name was then changed to Mayotte. From then on, Mayotte was known as a French Colony. -
Said Ali Bin Said Omar
The island of Ngazidja, in 1886 was granted French rights over the whole island. The treaty was signed by one out of the nine sultanates who was named, “Said Ali bin Said Omar”. Said Ali bin Said Omar, Sultan of Bambao, placed the entire island with the French for protection for an exchange of support of his claim. Within the same year, Ndzuwani and Mwali Sultante became the French protectorates of the island. -
Comoros declared a French colony
In 1912, the islands of Comoros were declared a French Colony. The islands were placed under the rule of the Governor-General of Madagascar. They were temporarily under the rule of the British, much like Madagascar. Shortly after, the French got back control over Comoros and Madagascar. Later on, Comoros was released from the Madagascar administration. The islands declared their independence and broke free from French rule. -
British forces invade the Comoros islands
In the time following the second world war, the great British Empire set their sight on another opportunity to colonize just like their Asian counterparts. In 1942, Britain invaded and had colonized it like so many other countries. It would be until 1946 that France would have gained control as well. -
Comoros declares independence
In 1975, the Comoros islands declared their independence from the French. Shortly after, Ahmed Abdallah was elect as the first President of Comoros. He announced that the Chamber of Deputies would create a new constitution that went in agreement with the French government. In 1989, President Abdallah was assassinated by European mercenaries. This caused the French to attempt to eject the mercenaries and restore order. Shortly after, Mohamed Djohar was elected President. -
The new constitution of Comoros approved
In 1978, the new constitution of Comoros was approved. Each island was granted its own legislature and control over taxes. During this time, Islam was restored to being the state religion. The constitution also acknowledged the rights of the people who weren’t Muslim on the islands. Each island was given control over the taxes on individuals and businesses as well. The New Constitution was approved by 99.31% of voters in Comoros. -
President Abdallah is given a second-term.
After the years in which the Comoros islands gained freedom and liberty from France and the middle east. However, without a democracy or a government modeled around other countries that have thrived, the islands were easy to fall. But in the year 1984, President Abdallah was given a second chance and had won 99 percent of the vote.
