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CultureGrams
World Edition
Republic of
2014
Madagascar
many species.
BACKGROUND
History
Origins and Unification
It is generally believed that Madagascar's first settlers arrived
from Indonesia and Malaysia almost two thousand years ago.
They are the ancestors of the island's highland tribes,
primarily the Merina and Betsileo. Many Malayo-Indonesians
also mixed with Arabs and Africans who came in later
centuries, forming coastal tribes known collectively as
Côtiers. The highland and Côtier peoples developed
separately over time, with their respective kings, cultures, and
dialects. Together, these peoples are called the Malagasy. In
the 1790s, Merina king Andrianampoinimerina unified the
highland tribes, establishing Antananarivo as his capital. His
son Radama I (1810–28) extended Merina domination to most
other parts of the island. The Merina desire to unify the entire
island under their kingdom remained unfulfilled as it collided
with European colonial powers, who had been exerting
increasing amounts of power in the area.
European Influence
European influence in Madagascar began after the Portuguese
sighted Madagascar in 1500. European sailors and pirates
visited the island often to trade guns and clothing for food and
spices, though local hostilities kept Europeans from having
any real presence until the late 1800s. Great Britain and
France had varying degrees of influence on Merina rulers
until France finally took control of the island in 1896. The
French sent Queen Ranavalona III into exile and battled
nationalist movements into submission. After World War II,
the Malagasy revolted against French rule (1947). French
Land and Climate
Area (sq. mi.): 226,658
Area (sq. km.): 587,041
Madagascar, situated off the southeast coast of Africa, is the
world's fourth largest island. It is roughly the size of Ukraine,
or twice the size of the U.S. state of Arizona. A large central
plateau rises to 4,500 feet (1,370 meters) in elevation. To the
south and east lies a narrow coastal strip lined by rain forests.
The west is hilly and dry, but the terrain flattens along the
western coast. Most of the country's major rivers drain west
into the Mozambique Channel. The north features white
beaches, and the south has a desert-like landscape. The
island's highest peak is Mount Maromokotro, at 9,436 feet
(2,876 meters). The climate is tropical along the coast,
temperate inland, and arid in the south. The hot, rainy season,
with inland highs averaging 85°F (29°C), extends from
September to April, interspersed with periodic cyclones. Dry,
cool weather lasts from May to August. Only mountainous
inland areas experience cold winters, with lows averaging
48°F (9°C).
Eighty percent of the island's flora and fauna are found
only in Madagascar as a result of the island's geographic
isolation. Its species include chameleons, tortoises, fossas (a
catlike mammal), lemurs (a type of primate), and thousands
of varieties of flowering and medicinal plants, such as the
rose periwinkle (the source of two anticancer drugs). In recent
years, severe erosion and deforestation have endangered
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troops brutally suppressed the insurrection at a cost of as
many as 80,000 lives. In 1958, the Malagasy overwhelmingly
supported independence in a referendum. Independence was
granted in 1960, though France maintained a strong influence
over politics and the economy.
Malagasy Republic and Didier Ratsiraka
Philibert Tsiranana was elected the first president of the
Malagasy Republic. His close ties with France and a lack of
political reform incited a rebellion in 1972. Tsiranana left
office, and a period of military rule followed until 1975, when
Didier Ratsiraka was elected president. He severed most ties
with the West and established a socialist system. Several
years of economic decline under relatively harsh rule
followed. Ratsiraka began to implement some reforms,
including a new, more democratic constitution, but discontent
with Ratsiraka remained in place, and Albert Zafy defeated
him in elections in 1993. However, Zafy also did not meet
expectations and was impeached in 1996. Ratsiraka
capitalized on voter discontent and gained reelection
following Zafy’s removal from office.
Following a December 2001 election, neither Ratsiraka
nor his main opponent, Marc Ravalomanana, gained the
majority necessary to win the election outright.
Ravalomanana accused Ratsiraka of vote rigging, and
Ravalomanana supporters held mass protests in Antananarivo.
Ravalomanana declared himself president in February, but
Ratsiraka refused to relinquish power, establishing a rival
government in Toamasina. Political violence threatened to
escalate into civil war, but in April 2002, following a vote
recount, Madagascar's high court declared Ravalomanana the
election's winner. Ratsiraka went into exile. Ravalomanana
was reelected in December 2006.
Struggles for Power
Antananarivo mayor Andry Rajoelina called for
Ravalomanana's resignation in January 2009 amid violent
protests, and, two months later, Rajoelina gained the backing
of the military. Ravalomanana was forced to resign and fled
the country. International condemnation of the coup led to
economic sanctions and aid freezes. Mediators worked to
establish power-sharing agreements between Rajoelina and
opposition parties, but no real progress was made until
September 2011. Parliamentary and presidential elections
scheduled for late 2010 were delayed multiple times before
finally being held in October 2013, when Hery
Rajaonarimampianina was elected president in a vote that was
declared free and fair by the European Union and other
observers, though his opponent demanded a recount. In
January 2014, Madagascar's electoral court confirmed
Rajaonarimampianina's win.
Recent Events and Trends
• Bubonic plague outbreak: December 2013 saw an
outbreak of bubonic plague in a village in Madagascar, where
at least 20 people have died. With 60 deaths attributed to the
disease in 2012, Madagascar leads the world in plague-related
fatalities. The disease is spread through fleas on rats and is
most common in rat-infested prisons.
THE PEOPLE
Population
Population: 22,599,098
Population Growth Rate: 2.65%
Urban Population: 33%
The 18 Malagasy tribes continue to live in their historical
lands, though in recent years improved transportation systems
have led to an increase in travel and migration within the
country. The country's largest tribe is the Merina, followed by
the Betsileo. Other major tribes are the Betsimisaraka (east),
Antandroy (south), and Tsimihety (north). Smaller groups
include the Sihanaka, Bara, Antaisaka, Sakalava,
Bezanozano, Antanosy, Antaimoro, Tanala, Antanbahoaka,
Mahafaly, and others. A small minority of Indo-Pakistani and
Chinese merchants, as well as some Comorians, live in
Madagascar. Some tension and resentment exist between
coastal and highland groups, as well as between immigrants
and natives.
Language
Malagasy and French are Madagascar's official languages.
Malagasy is a unique mixture of Indonesian, African
languages (mostly Bantu), Arabic, and some Malaysian.
Written first in an Arabic-origin script called Sorabe,
Malagasy was first written in a Latin script by British
missionaries under commission from King Radama I. The
alphabet does not contain the letters c, q, u, w, or x. “Official
Malagasy” is derived primarily from the Merina dialect.
People of other tribes speak their own dialects, although they
also understand Official Malagasy and use it for written
communication. The language retains traditional Malagasy
oratory (kabary) and the use of proverbs. Malagasy proverbs
store centuries of wisdom and culture. Nearly every
conversation or speech contains a proverb or two. The right
proverb can substitute for a more lengthy explanation.
French was used more than Malagasy in government,
education, and business until 1972, when Madagascar
distanced itself from France. Attempts to use Malagasy in
school after 1973 were abandoned by 1991, partly because
private schools continued to use French, and their graduates
received the best jobs. Malagasy use many French words in
daily speech and for science and technology. The use of
English is growing as Madagascar strengthens ties with the
rest of the world.
Religion
About half of all Malagasy practice indigenous beliefs that
acknowledge the existence of a supreme being, called
Andriamanitra or Zanahary. Razana (ancestors) are seen as
intermediaries between the gods and the living. Ancestor
veneration is so rooted in the culture that Malagasy of all
religions practice it. One Malagasy proverb explains,
“Without ancestors, the living would not exist; and without
the living, ancestors would be forgotten.” The living report
their activities and needs to their ancestors, who provide
directives and fadys (taboos). Zebus (oxen-like cattle, a
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traditional symbol of wealth) are sacrificed to Andriamanitra
and ancestors. Food offerings are also presented in thanks or
supplication. About 41 percent of the population is Christian.
The London Missionary Society introduced Christianity in the
1800s. With its help, the first Malagasy Bible was printed in
1835. As French influence increased with colonization,
Catholics came to outnumber Protestants, which include
Adventists, Lutherans, Anglicans, Baptists, and others. About
7 percent of Malagasy (mostly Côtiers) are Muslims.
CUSTOMS AND COURTESIES
Greetings
Verbal greetings vary, but a common Malagasy greeting is
Manao ahoana tompoko? (How are you, sir/madam?). One
omits tompoko for a more informal greeting. Popular
greetings in coastal areas are Akory? (How are you?), Salama
(Peace), and Arahaba (Hello). In the north, Mbolatsara? (Still
good?) is common. Courtesy requires one to greet an older or
superior person first, with an appropriate title. That individual
then chooses whether to offer a handshake. Men wait for
women to extend their hand. To show respect, one gives a
handshake using both hands or with the left hand holding the
right elbow. To greet from a distance, people nod and remove
hats or hold up the right hand. After initial greetings, people
ask Inona no vaovao? (What is new?), to which the usual
reply is Tsy misy (Nothing), especially if they do not intend to
stop and talk. Except among close friends who use
nicknames, people call each other by last or first names
preceded by a title. Older relatives are addressed by
relationship (grandfather, aunt, etc.) and spoken to with
deference.
General Attitudes
Malagasy are deeply attached to their heritage. Parents and
the elderly are respected and honored. Grown children rarely
move far from their family. Malagasy are prone to share, no
matter how little they have, according to the saying “Even
one grasshopper is to be shared.” Family needs have priority
over individual desires. Years of corruption and globalization
have strained these traditional values, but most people still
adhere to them. People smile despite their everyday
challenges. Coastal people tend to prefer a more relaxed pace
of life (mora-mora) than highland residents.
Superstitions are widespread and vary by region, ethnic
group, village, and family. Malagasy believe in vintana
(destiny), which brings good or bad luck based on the time
and date of a person's birth. If bad, it can be altered by an
ombiasy, a person who heals or divines with charms and
magic. People also consult a mpanandro (day-maker) for help
in choosing the best day to get married, start constructing a
home, and so on. For other aspects of life, people accept
lahatra (fate) as having control. Many people fear
mpamosavy (witches) and protect themselves by locking their
homes securely after dark and accepting gifts of food
cautiously. Deaths are sometimes attributed to mpamosavy
rather than seeking out a doctor to confirm the cause. Fadys
vary by village and are taken seriously; they govern such
things as which foods to avoid and which days are
inappropriate for certain kinds of work.
Gestures
“No” is indicated by shaking the head from left to right while
saying ahn-ahn-ahn; “yes” is given with a nod and uhn-uhn.
Personal space is relatively limited, and friends of the same
sex commonly walk arm in arm, hold hands, or sit close to
one another. The polite way to point is with a bent index
finger or with the lips. It is considered fady (taboo) to step
over a floor mat used for eating. It is rude to beckon to
someone with an upward-facing palm, a gesture used to call
dogs. Instead, the palm should face out when calling to a
person. When passing in front of or between people, it is
proper to offer apologies and/or bend slightly as if asking
permission.
Personal Appearance
Most people wear Western attire, such as jeans, shorts,
t-shirts, tank tops, dress shirts, sandals, and tennis shoes. In
business settings and for formal events, most people wear
Western dress clothes. Western clothing may be secondhand
and is often combined with traditional items. Rural people
tend to wear traditional outfits more often than do urban
dwellers. Traditional highland attire includes the lamba (long
white cotton wrap) for men and women and malabar
(long-sleeved striped or plaid shirt reaching to the knees and
worn over pants) for men. Women drape the lamba over their
shoulders; men wrap it at the waist. A red lamba is a sign of
authority. Women braid or tie their long hair up to neck level.
A lambaoany (light, colorful wrap) is more common in
coastal areas than the lamba, and men and women wrap these
items differently according to gender and local tradition.
Many men wear shorts under or instead of traditional wraps.
Visiting
Malagasy people visit one another often. Malagasy pride
themselves on the ability to mandray vahiny (properly host
guests). Most visits, especially in rural areas, are
unannounced. It is impolite to drop by at mealtime, but such a
visitor would almost always be offered something to eat. The
art of kabary (social discourse) is greatly valued and is
usually performed by older men at social gatherings.
Visits are prearranged for special occasions, to offer
condolences, or to exchange New Year's wishes and gifts.
People returning from a trip or visiting from out of town take
voan-dalana (gifts from the journey) to their extended family.
In urban homes, guests are received in a salon (sitting room)
and offered such refreshments as soda, peanuts, crackers, or
cookies. Rural hosts set out new mats for guests and serve tea
and hanikotrana (snacks such as cassava, bananas, or sweet
potatoes). In general, people serve what they have on hand or
quickly send someone to a nearby store. One may decline
refreshments if not staying long. Otherwise, guests are
expected to eat what is served.
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Eating
Families usually eat meals together, beginning with breakfast
at 7 a.m. Lunch is at noon and dinner around 7 p.m. A snack
is often eaten around 4 p.m. Urban Malagasy eat at a table,
while rural families usually eat on a fanambanana (woven
grass mat) on the floor. Invitations for lunch are more
common than for dinner. When guests are present, children
may eat separately. Hosts refill plates until guests indicate
they are full. Friends or acquaintances leave shortly after the
meal; relatives may stay a few hours. Throughout the country,
people eat with utensils, but some coastal groups eat with the
right hand or using folded banana leaves as scoops.
Eating at a restaurant is considered a luxury. However,
workers who cannot go home for lunch either go to a nearby
hotely (inexpensive restaurant) or a vary mitsangana (outdoor
vendor selling hot food to be eaten while standing).
Daughters typically inherit household furnishings.
Gender Roles
In a typical Malagasy household, the father is the provider
and head of the family. He is responsible for most household
decisions. The mother is the nurturer and homemaker.
Women are primarily responsible for taking care of the
children and are responsible for all household duties, such as
cooking, collecting water, and gathering firewood (in rural
areas). They also care for the smaller livestock (like chickens
and ducks), while men tend to the larger animals (like cattle
and pigs). A growing number of families are headed by single
women. Women who work outside the home usually work as
market vendors, shopkeepers, or teachers. Traditional
authority figures are nearly always men. It is rare for a
woman to be a village chief (chef fokontany). However,
women are beginning to occupy an increasing number of
positions of authority at the regional and national levels.
LIFESTYLE
Housing
Nearly every region has a distinct style of housing, though
many share similarities and nearly all make use of locally
available materials. Some cities have French-style
architecture, remnants of Madagascar's colonial past. The
type of material used to build a home denotes economic
status. Wealthier people may construct the walls of their
home from wooden boards or concrete (trano vato) and the
roof from tin. The poor rely on salvaged materials (both
natural and man-made) to build their homes.
Urban
In urban areas, many homes are built in modern styles, and
the average urban home has two to four rooms. Buildings are
often made out of concrete, bricks, or wood. Homes are often
two stories. The family usually lives on the second floor.
Traditionally, the lower level was reserved for livestock, but
today it is more often used for storage. In poor areas of the
cities, many people live in small huts made from available
materials, such as scraps of tin roof.
Rural
Rural housing varies according to the area. In the highlands,
homes tend to be large, many with two stories and a balcony.
These homes are constructed from red adobe bricks covered
with a painted stucco façade. Roofs are usually sharply
pitched and made from clay tiles or hay. On the coasts,
houses are much smaller, typically consisting of one or two
rooms, which are sometimes elevated above the ground on
low stilts to withstand cyclones and floods. These homes
usually have one room where everyone sleeps: parents in a
bed and children on the floor. On the east coast, common
building materials include reeds, grasses, bamboo, and palm
fronds. On the west coast, many homes are made from mud
and sticks and topped with thatched roofs. In northern
Madagascar, homes are usually made from red clay and
topped with thatched or tin roofs that extend far past the walls
of the home, creating a covered wrap-around porch. During
the hottest part of the day, people often spread out straw mats
and take naps on the porch. It is common for farmers to
construct temporary shelters (lasy) in their fields, where they
can cook and rest during the day. Some families live in lasy
during the planting season for convenience and to protect the
Family
Structure
Extended families usually live together in a compound
(usually a cluster of small houses). In rural areas, an entire
village may consist of a single family compound. Malagasy
rarely leave home before marriage and often bring their
spouse to live with their family. Among the Merina, the
husband comes to live with his wife's family. On the coasts,
the wife usually moves in with her husband's family.
Fihavanana (a well-maintained relationship) is valued above
all else, as demonstrated by the saying “Better lose money
than lose a relationship.” This starts with the family and
extends into community relations. Children are taught family
unity with the saying “Those who are united are as stone but
those who are separated as sand.” Economic hardships have
forced many urban mothers to work outside the home,
impacting family cohesion. Likewise, rural mothers work
hard in the fields but often cannot provide enough care and
nourishment to their children.
Parents and Children
Most Malagasy love children, and parents are generally
affectionate and doting. Children are considered the ultimate
sign of prosperity and an important social safety net. Parents
give newlyweds a traditional blessing (soadrano) in hopes
that they will have seven sons and seven daughters. Children
are taught to respect and listen to their parents and the elderly.
They share in household duties from an early age and may be
given tasks like washing dishes in the river, collecting water,
tending cattle, running errands, working in the fields, and
caring for younger children. Older girls are often responsible
for some or all of the meal preparation. Babies are carried on
their mothers’ backs most of the time, tied on with a piece of
cloth. Children are frequently sent to live with family
members in other areas in order to have access to better
educational or economic opportunities. When making
important decisions, children, regardless of age, are expected
to get their parents' blessings. Adult children usually care for
their aging parents. Sons usually inherit land and other major
possessions (such as the home, livestock, and automobiles).
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rice shoots from birds and thieves.
Interiors and Home Life
Indoor plumbing is available in cities, and larger towns have
communal water pumps. Most villagers get their water from
wells or rivers. During the dry season, many villagers have to
walk for miles to obtain water. In rural coastal areas, some
families have outhouses, but the majority do not. It is often
seen as fady (taboo) to have a bathroom or outhouse, because
it is considered disrespectful to place human waste
underground, where the deceased are buried.
Very few homes have electricity (jiro), so most people use
candles or a jiro kapoaka (literally, “electric can,” a small
kerosene lamp made out of a tin can) to light their homes after
dark. Most families cook on open fires, which are built
between three rocks on top of which a pot rests. Some
families have triangular metal platforms called toko telo that
hold a cooking pot above the fire. Others rely on fatapera
(small charcoal-burning stoves). A separate hut may be
constructed for cooking. People may also cook outside if their
home has a porch. Very few homes have modern
conveniences such as refrigerators or gas stoves. A family
may purchase a generator to run a television and DVD player.
A typical home is furnished with lace curtains, a wooden
sofa, cushioned chairs, and a small coffee table. Surfaces are
often adorned with lace doilies. Arrangements of plastic
flowers may sit on tables or be hung from the ceiling. Walls
are often covered in woven mats (tsihy), crucifixes, posters,
and calendars.
(a verbal agreement that establishes a one-year trial period for
the marriage). Either spouse may violate the orimbato, and
thus nullify the agreement, by infidelity or neglecting his or
her duties as husband or wife. After a year has passed, the
couple is considered married, and festivities typically follow.
The couple may or may not choose to have a formal
ceremony at this time.
Marriage
Three forms of marriage ceremonies are common in
Madagascar: civil, traditional (fombandrazana), and
Christian. Many weddings today combine elements of both
traditional and Christian ceremonies. In order for a marriage
to be legal, it must include a civil ceremony. However, many
people see little benefit in making a marriage legal, so not all
weddings include a civil ceremony, and few couples hold
only a civil ceremony. While the bride's family is in charge of
paying for the engagement party, the groom's family finances
the wedding. An astrologer is consulted in order to determine
an auspicious date for the wedding, usually a Monday or
Saturday.
The traditional marriage ceremony starts with the groom
picking up the bride from her family’s home and taking her to
the ceremony, which is usually held at the home of a relative
of either the bride or the groom. The bride is formally given
by her father to the groom. The couple is then given advice by
both sets of parents. Finally, the oldest and most respected
family members give the couple their blessing. A party is then
held, with singing, drinking, and dancing. The entire village
may attend the event, and the festivities continue throughout
the night.
A Christian ceremony is held in a church. Most of the
customs are based on Western practices. Both the bride and
groom wear Western wedding attire (a white dress for the
bride and a suit or tuxedo for the groom). They stand at the
front of the church and exchange rings and say “I do” when
agreeing to the marriage. The wedding is followed by a feast
and a dance.
Marriage in Society
Marriage is highly regarded in Madagascar and is seen as a
status symbol, but many couples, particularly in rural areas,
do not marry formally, because they cannot afford a wedding.
Instead, they may live together as husband and wife without
legally marrying.
Polygamy exists only among some tribes in the south,
where it is viewed as a sign of wealth. Infidelity is very
common, and many men have a deuxième bureau (a French
term meaning “second office”), or extramarital relationship.
This behavior is generally tolerated by women. However, a
growing number of wives expect their husbands to be
monogamous. Divorce is common among both married and
common-law couples, and many people have several partners
in a lifetime. When a couple separates, the woman keeps the
household furnishings, while the man is entitled to the house
and custody of the children.
Dating and Marriage
Dating and Courtship
Traditional parents seek to arrange marriages for their
children to spouses of similar social status. The potential
couple is free to decide whether to marry but does not usually
reject their parents' opinions. Today it is more common,
particularly in urban areas, for young people to find their own
mates, often in their neighborhood or through school or social
activities. When dating, they go to dances and concerts, watch
videos, and play sports or other games. One-on-one dating is
traditionally expected to lead to marriage.
Marriage customs and traditional marrying age differ by
tribe. On average, relationships begin in the early teens, and
many people marry or move in with a partner by age 18.
Among the Bara, it is traditional for cousins to marry.
Tandroy girls may marry as early as 12 or 13 years of age.
Engagement
Engagement is a formal affair. The man or his family asks for
the woman's hand at her parents' home. The two families
carefully choose spokesmen well versed in kabary, who
profusely apologize for their inadequacies before presenting
the genealogy and history of the families and praising the
bride and her family. After a formal speech of consent is
delivered, the bride's family receives a vodiondry. (literally,
“lamb's rump” but meaning bride-price). A lamb is
slaughtered for the occasion, and a number of live zebus are
given as a dowry. In urban areas, cash now takes the place of
both zebu and lamb.
In some cases, particularly if there are doubts that the
marriage will last, the couple's families enter into an orimbato
Life Cycle
Birth
During pregnancy, there are many superstitions about what
women should and should not eat, many of which vary by
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region. For example, pregnant women should be careful not
to eat too many litchis because the fruit is believed to raise the
body temperature and harm the fetus. When a woman gives
birth, her mother may pour alcohol or water on the woman's
stomach or on the ground beside her to invoke good spirits to
watch over her daughter and the baby. After a woman gives
birth, it is considered important to keep her very warm, so she
is bundled up in blankets, warm clothes, and a hat.
Newborn babies are usually kept inside for the first seven
days, after which there is a small party to introduce relatives
and friends to the baby. Among the Sakalava, this period of
seclusion lasts for forty days. Traditionally, children are not
named until after the party. Christian parents often have a
newborn baptized, but even parents who are not Christian
give their babies both a Malagasy name and a Christian name.
After the birth of their first child, parents take on their child’s
name. For example, the mother and father of a child named
Fanja will become Maman’i Fanja and Papan’i Fanja,
respectively. Grandparents take on the name of their first
grandchild. Therefore, Fanja's grandmother and grandfather
would be called Dadi n’I Fanja and Dada be n’I Fanja,
respectively.
Milestones
A baby's first mouthful of solid food is an important
milestone, and babies are given small gifts of money to buy
mofo (bread) to celebrate. The parents usually tuck the money
in the baby's hand and take him or her to the store to buy the
bread.
Malagasy speak to children over age six as equals, and
children of that age assume many responsibilities of
adulthood. For boys, circumcision is a very important
initiation ritual and usually occurs around the age of five. An
astrologer is consulted to determine the date of the ceremony.
In the southeast of the country, the Antambaohoaka practice
the sambatra ceremony, a collective circumcision that takes
place every seven years. The ceremony lasts four weeks, with
the first three weeks dedicated to preparation for the
ceremony and the last week spent celebrating.
Death
Malagasy treat their dead with great respect, partially because
it is believed that the dead have the power to affect the living.
When someone dies, the body is brought to the family home
to be prepared for interment. A wake is held for people to
come pay their respects. In most areas, the wake lasts two to
three days. However, in Antandroy, a deceased parent's body
must stay in the house until the last child arrives, which may
take several weeks. After the wake, mourners accompany the
body to be laid to rest. Depending on the region, the deceased
may be buried underground or placed in an above-ground
tomb. The elders of the family bless the body before the men
place it in the tomb or grave. Four to seven years later,
depending on the family's financial situation, the famadhiana
(turning of the bones) is held for those who have been buried
since the last famadhiana. The family of the deceased
exhumes the bodies to wrap them in new burial shrouds or
grass mats. The bones are then handed between family
members and sometimes sprinkled with perfume. Festivities
follow and are meant to represent the continuity of life. A
zebu feast is held, and people dance to traditional music.
After the exhumation, the bones are returned to the grave or
tomb. The style of tombs varies depending on the tribe, and
some are extremely elaborate. The Mahafaly and Tandroy
build tombs out of rectangular piles of stone that are
decorated with zebu horns and special carvings called aloalo.
The Bara bury their dead in crevices and caves in cliffsides.
Poorer families may build a series of cement coffins
underneath a tin roof.
Diet
A meal without rice is considered incomplete. At each meal,
rice is served with loaka (accompaniments such as meat, fish,
eggs, vegetables, or basic broth). One popular loaka is
ravitoto sy henakisoa (ground manioc leaves with pork).
Another is ro mazava (stew with green, leafy vegetables).
Sakay, served on the side, is a mixture of chili peppers,
ginger, and garlic. A common beverage is ranomapango
(golden water), a drink made from water boiled in the
browned rice that sticks to the bottom of the pan after
cooking. It is considered fady (taboo) to drink cold water, and
many people drink only tea. Seasonal fruits are served as
dessert, including mangoes, litchis, pineapples, papaya,
guava, strawberries, peaches, apples, oranges, and grapes.
Bananas are found year-round. Manioc, sweet potatoes, and
corn are served for breakfast, snacks, or as side dishes,
especially in the countryside. An urban breakfast can include
buttered baguettes (French bread) and jam.
Recreation
Sports
Soccer is the most popular sport, especially among young
men. Tournaments are held between village teams, and the
winning team often receives a zebu. Basketball is played by
both boys and girls in urban areas where courts are available.
Girls also enjoy handball. Popular spectator sports include
moraingy (traditional wrestling), cock fighting, and savika
(bullfighting). Foot, bicycle, and canoe races are organized
during certain holidays.
Leisure
One of the most common leisure activities is socializing.
People enjoy visiting family members and friends. In cities,
they may also go out for drinks and beef brochettes (kebabs)
or to sing karaoke. In rural areas, women often socialize while
weaving mats and baskets or while cooking.
Malagasy love to dance and listen to music. People enjoy
watching music videos (variété) on television, and many
people without access to television stations watch DVDs of
music videos. On the weekends, many people attend outdoor
concerts (spectacle) featuring popular Malagasy singers and
dancers. People also go to night clubs (boîte) to listen to
music and dance. Most mid-sized towns have video houses
(small, makeshift movie theaters set up in a bar, on the porch
of a home, or in a community center) that play films for a
small entrance fee.
It is common to see groups of men playing dominoes and
cards on the side of the street. The fanorona is a traditional
game played by strategically placing small stones in hollows
of a board or on the ground. The first player to capture the
other player's pieces wins. Toys are scarce, so children often
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make their own or play with objects around them. If they lack
a ball, children may substitute a grapefruit or plastic bags
wrapped in twine.
Vacation
Most Malagasy do not have the means to take vacations, and
many have never been outside their local area. For most
people, time off is spent visiting family members. Those who
can afford to travel generally go to beach towns like
Foulpointe, on the east coast, or Mahajanga, on the northwest
coast.
lanterns, flashlights, and candles.
Other Significant Holidays
Martyrs’ Day is the most important patriotic holiday and is
celebrated at a monument in Moramanga, where large crowds
gather to hear speeches by the presidents, other government
officials, and veterans who participated in the conflict.
International Women’s Day (8 Mar.) is celebrated throughout
the country. This day is usually commemorated with dance
performances by local women’s associations. Easter is
observed by Madagascar's Christians. On Easter Monday,
people eat a big midday meal and then spend the afternoon
visiting neighbors and family. In recent years, carnivals with
games and Ferris wheels have become popular in cities.
The Arts
Traditional mpihira gasy performers sing, dance, and play
music in open-air concerts. An eloquent speech usually serves
as an introduction to their popular performances. Common
instruments include accordions, violins, drums, flutes, and the
indigenous valiha (a cylindrical harp-like instrument). The
guitar is a favorite among young people. A popular dance
music called salegy combines East African guitar rhythms
with local beats. Kilalaky (a traditional style of music using
indigenous instruments), kawitry (music with a fast-paced
beat), and sega (a style of music common throughout the
islands in the region) are popular, especially along the coast.
Hip-hop and rap are growing in popularity among urban
youth.
Folk artists produce items for burial rituals. Tombs are
decorated with tall wooden aloalo poles, into which artists
carve figurative images and depictions of historical events.
SOCIETY
Government
Head of State: Pres. Andry Rajoelina
Head of Government: PM Jean Omer Beriziky
Capital: Antananarivo
Structure
Under normal conditions, Madagascar's president is head of
state and is popularly elected to a five-year term. The
president appoints a prime minister as head of government.
The country's parliament consists of a 127-seat National
Assembly and a 33-seat Senate. All members of parliament
serve four-year terms. Members of the National Assembly are
directly elected. Two-thirds of the senators are appointed by
the country's 22 regional assemblies, and the remaining third
are appointed by the president.
The current political situation in Madagascar is not
normal, however. Marc Ravalomanana, who was reelected
president in 2006, left office in 2009 under pressure from
demonstrations orchestrated by Andry Rajoelina (See
History). This event is widely considered to be a coup by
Rajoelina. Ravalomanana gave presidential power to the
military upon his departure from office, and the military in
turn gave power to Rajoelina. Rajoelina dismissed the
legislature once in power.
Currently, the High Transitional Authority (HAT) acts as
the government of Madagascar. As head of the HAT,
Rajoelina is acting as Madagascar's head of state. He has also
appointed a transitional parliament to act as the country's
legislature.
Madagascar was divided into six provinces by the French
colonial government, but in 2009 the provinces were
dissolved into 22 regions in order to decentralize government
administration.
Political Landscape
Politics in Madagascar are contentious to the point of
regularly creating instability. Most recently, this has been
characterized by the feud between Rajoelina and
Ravalomanana. In this case, as in the past, the military is
heavily involved in the country's power struggles. Religious
coalitions have also had considerable influence on the
government.
Before the October 2013 presidential election, Rajoelina
Holidays
National holidays include New Year's Day, Martyrs' Day (29
March, honoring those killed when French troops suppressed
the 1947 insurrection), Labor Day (1 May), Independence
Day (26 June), All Saints' Day (1 Nov.), and Christmas.
Schools and businesses observe Easter Monday, Pentecost
Monday, and Ascension.
New Year's
New Year’s is one of the two biggest celebrations in
Madagascar. New Year’s coincides with a rice harvest, when
food is plentiful and most people have money from selling
their crops. For many people in rural areas, this may be one of
only two times in the year that they purchase new clothing.
The holiday is celebrated with special meals (typically
consisting of rice and beef or pork if the family can afford it),
drinking, soccer matches between neighboring villages, and
balina (dances). New Year’s festivities can last a week or
more. New Year's Eve is a night for formal bals (balls) at
fancy hotels or friends' houses. These parties bear a French
influence but are opened with a customary afindrafindrao, a
dance in which one couple leads off dancing and the other
couples follow like a train.
Independence Day
Malagasy Independence Day (Vingt-six Juin) is the other
biggest celebration in Madagascar and also coincides with a
rice harvest. Just like New Year’s, food is plentiful and there
is more money available to purchase new clothing and to
celebrate with special meals, drinking, dancing, and games.
On Reveillon, the eve of Independence Day, Malagasy
children parade through the streets with glowing paper
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had postponed elections multiple times, causing tremendous
uncertainty in the country. As a result of Rajoelina's power
grab, Madagascar has faced many international consequences,
including the suspension of diplomatic relations and
much-needed aid.
Though Madagascar has dozens of active political parties,
political instability results in few parties having any real
power. Rajoelina has used his powers to further limit the
power of opposition parties.
Government and the People
Constitutional guarantees of free speech, press, and assembly
have been largely ignored by Rajoelina's administration.
Corruption is also a major problem for the country. The
government has not been effective at slowing the increasing
rate of violence and crime, in part because government
security forces themselves are often the guilty party.
Because Madagascar's current government was not
elected, Madagascar is not currently a democracy. When
elections have occurred, outcomes have usually been
disputed, and accusations of fraud have been commonplace.
Voter turnout usually exceeds 65 percent. The voting age is
18.
the capital. Most families have a radio, and many own a
television. Many television and radio stations and newspapers
operate despite heavy press censorship by the government.
The government does not actively censor the internet.
However, internet use in Madagascar is among the lowest in
the world, though rising.
Education
Adult Literacy: 64.5%
Mean Years of Schooling: 5.2
Structure and Access
Education is greatly valued. A Malagasy proverb says,
“Foolish is he who is not better educated than his father.”
Parents do whatever they can to give their children an
education. Most children start primary school, and about 73
percent
finish.
Only
around
24
percent
of
secondary-school-aged children are enrolled in school,
however, with boys slightly more likely to continue on to
secondary school than girls.
The education system is based on the French model, with
five years of primary school (école élémentaire primaire),
four years of middle school (collège d’enseignante générale),
and three years of high school (lycée). An exam is given at
the end of each year of high school, and only those who pass
can advance to the next level. Although nine years of
schooling is mandatory, this requirement is not widely
enforced.
Although tuition is free, the number of public schools is
insufficient to handle the volume of students. Many rural
students have to travel long distances to get to school, and
families must provide their children's uniforms and school
supplies. Students are also expected to supply their teachers
with firewood and rice and are sometimes required to work in
the teachers' rice fields. Poverty has made it difficult for some
parents afford the fees associated with their children's
schooling or to lose the much-needed labor their children
provide on the family farm. It is extremely common for
students to repeat at least one if not several grades during the
course of their education. Many students take much longer
than the intended five years to complete primary school.
While most schools are public, private schools have
become more popular in recent years given the inadequacy of
the public school system. Private schools exist at all levels but
are largely restricted to the wealthy. Charitable and religious
organizations sometimes help pay tuition at private schools.
In remote areas, villagers may avoid the government school
system by setting up a local school, pooling their resources to
construct a simple classroom and hire a teacher.
School Life
Despite a push for education reform and Malagachisation (a
movement to increase emphasis on Malagasy culture and
language) in the 1970s, instruction and textbooks remain in
French at most schools. Teaching styles largely focus on
memorization and copying information from the chalkboard;
testing is heavily emphasized. Critical thinking, technology,
group work, and class participation are not often incorporated.
The student-teacher ratio is high, and teachers are chronically
underpaid, ill equipped, and under trained. Some students
Economy
GDP (PPP) in billions: $21.37
GDP (PPP) per capita: $1,000
The Malagasy economy is based on agriculture, with 80
percent of people engaged in farming, mostly at the
subsistence level. Many farmers are also employed in an
export-oriented agricultural pursuit. Cash crops include
coffee, cloves, vanilla, sugar, and tobacco. Food crops include
rice, cassava, cereal grains, potatoes, and corn. The primary
livestock are zebus, pigs, goats, and sheep. Manufacturing,
located mostly in the capital, focuses on textiles, timber, and
food processing. The fishing industry has a high potential but
is underexploited. The skilled labor force is underemployed;
college graduates have difficulty finding work in their fields.
International donors have encouraged privatization and other
reforms to help boost growth. In recent years, political crisis
has negatively affected the economy, discouraging tourism
and foreign investment. The currency is the ariary (MGA).
Transportation and Communications
Internet Users (per 100 people): 2
Cellular Phone Subscriptions (per 100 people): 41
Paved Roads: 12%
Most people walk or ride the bus. Main cities have taxis.
Used for hauling goods in Antananarivo (Tana), a
pousse-pousse (pedicab) is a common form of human
transport in other areas. For intercity travel, people use taxi
brousse (“bush-taxis,” minivans with luggage racks). Many
roads are not paved. A train runs between Tana and the
southeast coast. Air Madagascar airlines offers domestic
flights.
The telephone system in Tana is gradually being upgraded
with digital technology. Most rural areas lack telephone
service. A cellular phone system is spreading outward from
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must attend school in shifts to accommodate the large
numbers of students that often share a single classroom.
Higher Education
Very few Malagasy attend university, although public
universities do not charge tuition. Those students who do
complete a degree often have difficulty finding related work.
Major universities are located in all of the provincial capitals;
trade schools offer training in various fields. The wealthy
often travel abroad for higher education.
Health
Madagascar's public health system includes hospitals,
regional birthing hospitals, and clinics. Facilities are
underfunded and underequipped. Patients must bring their
own supplies such as cotton balls and syringes. Family
members must take meals to patients. Basic maternal and
child care are provided, but the infant mortality rate remains
high. Private clinics offer modern care to those who can
afford it. Employees of state companies are covered by
national insurance; other employees buy private insurance.
Malnutrition, diarrhea, cholera, malaria, and other diseases
affect the population. Traditional medicines are still very
valuable to most people, and medicine men are available in
every town or village. Some 2,500 species of plants are used
to treat ailments.
AT A GLANCE
Contact Information
Embassy of Madagascar, 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20008; phone (202) 265-5525; web site
www.madagascar-embassy.org.
Country and Development Data
Capital
Population
Area (sq. mi.)
Area (sq. km.)
Human Development Index
Gender Inequality Index
GDP (PPP) per capita
Adult Literacy
Infant Mortality
Life Expectancy
Currency
CultureGrams
Antananarivo
22,599,098 (rank=52)
226,658 (rank=48)
587,041
151 of 187 countries
NA
$1,000
67% (male); 62% (female)
46.13 per 1,000 births
65 (male); 68 (female)
Ariary
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