Comoros
The Comorans inhabiting Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Moheli (86% of
the population) share African-Arab origins. Islam is the dominant
religion, and Koranic schools for children reinforce its influence.
Although Arab culture is firmly established throughout the
archipelago, a substantial minority of the citizens of Mayotte (the
Mahorais) are Catholic and have been strongly influenced by French
culture.
The most common language is Shikomoro, a Swahili dialect. French and
Arabic also are spoken. About 57% of the population is literate. |
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Over the centuries, the islands were invaded by a succession of
diverse groups from the coast of Africa, the Persian Gulf,
Indonesia, and Madagascar. Portuguese explorers visited the
archipelago in 1505. "Shirazi" Arab migrants introduced Islam at
about the same time. Between 1841 and 1912, France established
colonial rule over Grande Comore, Anjouan, Mayotte, and Moheli and
placed the islands under the administration of the governor general
of Madagascar. Later, French settlers, French-owned companies, and
wealthy Arab merchants established a plantation-based economy that
now uses about one-third of the land for export crops. After World
War II, the islands became a French overseas territory and were
represented in France's National Assembly. Internal political
autonomy was granted in 1961. Agreement was reached with France in
1973 for Comoros to become independent in 1978. On July 6, 1975,
however, the Comoran parliament passed a resolution declaring
unilateral independence. The deputies of Mayotte abstained. As a
result, the Comoran Government has effective control over only
Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Moheli. Mayotte remains under French
administration. |
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