Located approximately 250 miles off the eastern coast of Africa is the island of Madagascar. Situated between the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, Madagascar was an ideal location for a pirate hideout, given that both seas were popular routes for merchant ships bearing rich cargoes. In addition, the island featured many harbors that were not easily accessible by any authorities. No European country had any power over Madagascar, which meant that while on land pirates weren't hindered by any particular laws, nor did any religion with its attendant morals hold sway.

King and Castle

In many ways Madagascar was the perfect tropical utopia. Its natural harbors and beaches were ideal for careening pirate ships; there was an abundant supply of fresh fruit, beef, chicken and eggs, and fresh drinking water was plentiful. All of these resources and advantages provided pirates the ideal area to rest, rendezvous with other pirates, make repairs, and stock up on provisions.

Madagascar's native population was sparse, primarily comprised of small tribes of indigenous peoples. The tribes were separated by the mountains and forests of the inland section of the island, and they generally fought with each other most of the time. Pirates would befriend various tribes and assist them in their primitive battles, and in return the tribes would welcome them and even offer them prisoners who would serve as their personal slaves.

By 1691, various pirate groups had established their own territories on Madagascar, each band headed by a self-proclaimed “king.” These small kingships were located at Ranter Bay, Reunion Island, Johanna Island, Fort Dauphin, Saint Augustine's Bay, and Ile Sainte Marie. By the end of the seventeenth century, there were approximately 1,500 pirates living in Ile Sainte Marie alone, and Europeans in general were becoming very concerned about Madagascar piracy and its effect on commerce.

In response to the growing number of pirates making their home in Madagascar, England and several other European nations began sending warships to patrol the Indian Ocean and Red Sea. This turned out to be an effective move, making piracy much more difficult for the men living on the island. As a result, many accepted pardons that were extended to them, and moved on. Over the next two decades, Madagascar's population declined, as did its popularity with pirates. When Woodes Rogers drove the pirates out of New Providence in 1719, many settled in Madagascar, and for a brief time it once again became a popular base for pirates.

The Real Neverland

Many tales have been told over the years about a settlement on Madagascar known as Libertalia that was allegedly run as a utopian republic. According to legend, a man known simply as Captain Mission (or Misson) founded Libertalia as a place where “democracy would rule,” where “the oppressed would fight the oppressors,” and where “justice would be equally distributed.” Here, men of all races lived together as equals, all treasure and food was shared equally among residents, and a delegation of pirates met at least once each year in order to deal with decisions on how things should be done within the settlement. While this sounds like a wonderful place, it never really existed, and neither did Captain Mission.

What is interesting is that the pirates chose to invent this particular fictional place with its very democratic attributes. Considering the violent nature of piracy, it may seem odd that pirates would readily choose to live in a democratic society. In reality, however, it's not that strange, given that most pirate ships were run in a democratic manner. In addition, many pirates and buccaneers were displaced from their homelands, had served on naval and merchant ships where they often worked long hours for little to no pay, faced floggings and other terrible punishments, and had little or no control over their daily lives and how they went about them. The idea of a land-based home where they would all live as equals — sharing so that no one was wanting, electing trusted leaders to make decisions for the group, and joining together to overcome anyone who would stand in the way of their pleasant society — would have been an enticing goal for pirates. Had it been real, Libertalia would indeed have been a pirate utopia.