Madagascar, Southern Highlands, The magnificent Hotel des Thermes in Antsirabe was built in 1897 for visitors wishing to bathe in the nearby hot springs, which were considered to have healing properties. Antsirabe is the industrial and agricultural centre of Madagascar. It is also the rickshaw or pousse-pousse 'capital' of the island. The name Pousse-pousse originates from the English Push! Push!. Rickshaws were introduced to Madagascar from India in 1835 by English missionaries. The missionaries disliked local dignitaries being carried in palanquins shouldered by four men. Their idea to reduce manpower and speed up travel very quickly became popular. Since Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, is built on hills and the wealthy people who regularly used rickshaws lived at the top of those hills, one or two extra people were necessary to push laden rickshaws uphill. The people at the back were often urged by the dignitaries to Push! Push!. Over time the words became corrupted and rickshaws became known as pousse-pousse.
