Madagascar is an island country in the Indian Ocean, approximately 400 kilometres (250 miles) off the coast of East Africa across the Mozambique Channel. Sitting on 592,800 square kilometres (228,900 sq mi) Madagascar is the world’s second-largest island country, after Indonesia. The country’s capital is Antananarivo which is the largest city in the country. It operates a unitary semi-presidential republic system of government. According to a 2021 estimate the population of the country is pegged at approximately 28.5 million people. The official languages of the country are Malagasy and French. The majority of the population adheres to Christianity, traditional beliefs, or an amalgamation of both. While a small population of 3.0% are Muslims. Ecotourism and agriculture, paired with greater investments in education, health, and private enterprise, are key elements of Madagascar’s development strategy. The country is bordered by Neighbouring islands including the French territory of Réunion and the country of Mauritius to the east, as well as the state of Comoros and the French territory of Mayotte to the north-west. The nearest mainland state is Mozambique, located to the west.
TRENDING FASHION IN MADAGASCAR
ACCESSORIES IN MADAGASCAR
TRIBES IN MADAGASCAR AND THEIR FASHION
The Merina
The largest and most powerful of the Malagasy tribes are the Merina. The Merina are known as the ‘elevated people’ and ‘those who always come back home’. The Malagasy nobility largely originated from the Merina, who strongly adhered to the social divisions of nobility, freemen and slaves. Predominantly located around the area of Madagascar’s capital city, Antananarivo, the Merina were builders and traders and their language became the national language of Madagascar. Merina men traditionally wear the Malabary, a special red dress. The boys are traditionally circumcised in seven-yearly ceremony.
The Betsimisaraka
The second largest group is the Betsimisaraka, ‘the inseparable multitude’, who reside mostly around Toamasina on the eastern side of the island. A significant part of their livelihood is fishing and they carry on the tradition of ancestor worship as well as a belief in the Kalanoro, a small long haired magical forest creature. They constituted around 15% of the population as of 2011. The women wear short wrapper called simbo with bandeau top called akanjo, while men wear smocks.
The Betsileo
The next largest tribe is the Betsileo, or ‘the invincible multitude’. Predominantly found around the southern plateau near Fianarantsoa. Sharing many ties with the Merina, they work in the rice fields of the region which are terraced in much the same way as in the south-east Asian area of their origin. Other crops include bananas, sugarcane, corn and cassava. Male Betsileo traditionally prove their courage by riding zebu bulls.
The Tsimihety
‘Those who do not cut their hair’. These people from the mountainous northwestern part of the island are called as such due to their refusing to cut their hair as a show of resistance against Radama I. The Tsimihety historically had a reputation for anarchist tendencies and for being evasive. In modern day times, they have become actively engaged in Malagasy politics.
The Sakalava
The ‘people of the long valley’ who reside in the western part of the island have a strong Bantu (African) influence which can be traced to when slaves were being traded and brought to the island. At one time, a large percentage of them were practicing Islam in addition to their traditional spirit worship, due to the influence of Arab traders.
The Antandroy
The ‘people of the thorn bush’ are a nomadic tribe, somewhat concentrated around Fort Dauphin and the arid southern part of the island. They are known for their Beko music and have many superstitions. They wear amulets as a protection and when someone dies, they go so far as to burn down the house of the dead, and slaughter and eat their cattle to get rid of spirits.
TOURIST AND HISTORICAL PLACES IN MADAGASCAR
Antananarivo – the city is a beautiful blend of traditions and culture; this capital city is the melting pot of Madagascar. The older part of the city still showcases the French colonialism and Parisian structures lined on the slopes of the hills.
Zahamena National Park – the national park is a home to some of the wide array of birds, surrounded by the mist and rain clouds.
Tsingy of Bemaraha – this natuaral park consists of huge and spiked rocks formed limestones which were moulded 5 million years ago and locally known as Tsinglies. There are beauitful carved fossil deposits and colossal monoliths
Royal Hill of Ambohimanga – a historical village constructed with mortar made of lime and egg whites, that was once home to Madagascar royalty.
Nosy Boraha – this pristine beach is stretched along the eastern coast of Madagascar. It is also known as Sainte Marie Island.
Nosy Be – this place is a home to an archipelago of beaches which attracts thousands of enthusiastic tourists.
Isalo National Park – it is considered the jewel of nature for its rock plateaus and an oasis of waterfalls.
Ifaty and Tulear – a perfect gateway for the delightful travelers, this small beach located at the southwest coast of Madagascar is a safe haven situated on the island.
Avenue of the Baobabs – it is unusual and raw beauty draws the attention of many tourists and makes it one of the best places to visit in Madagascar.
MUSIC IN MADAGASCAR
The highly diverse and distinctive music of Madagascar has been shaped by the musical traditions of Southeast Asia, Africa, Arabia, England, France and the United States over time as indigenous people, immigrants, and colonists have made the island their home. Malagasy music can be roughly divided into three categories: traditional, contemporary and popular music. Traditional musical styles vary by region and reflect local ethnographic history. Some common traditional instruments used to give Malagasy music its distinctive style include: mandoliny, kabosy, djembe, and valiha the bamboo tube zither considered the national instrument of Madagascar.
Some musicians in Madagascar include:
D’Gary
Erick Manana
Some art work in Madagascar include:
MEALS IN MADAGASCAR
Malagasy style fried rice – meal made by frying rice, along with a whole lot of vegetables like carrots, capsicum, sweet corn, bok choy and spring onions. Slices of meat, egg and shrimp also go in its making.
Lasary – a typical vegetable dish comprising of carrots, green beans, cabbage and onions, well-seasoned.
Koba – meal primarily comprises of mashed bananas, vanilla beans, ground peanut, cornflour and honey.
Foza sy hena – an fusion of stir-fried pork, crab and lobster, seasoned with ginger and lime juice.
Akoho sy voania – a stew made by blending chicken and coconut, mainly served over rice.
Voanjobory sy hena – a simple dish of chopped pork and bambara groundnuts.
Malagasy style fried rice
Lasary
Koba
Foza sy hena
Akoho sy voania
Voanjobory sy hena
Sambusa – a triangle-shaped fried savory stuffed with fillings of ground beef and potatoes.
Romazava – Madagascar’s national dish comprising of a meat stew teamed with green vegeables, onions and array of spices.
Ranovola – a staple drink of Madagascar, prepared by placing a cup of cooked rice in a pot and heating it.
Nem – crunchy, deep-fried spring rolls filled with beef, leek potato, cabbage and onions.
Mofo gasy – it is a pancake prepared by deep-frying a dough made of flour, water, yeast, sugar and cream of rice.
Mofo-anana – bread with leafy greens, mofo and anana.
Sambusa
Romazava
Ranovola
Nem
Mofo gasy
Mofo-anana
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND HABITAT PROTECTION IN MADAGASCAR
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 21.6% or about 12,553,000 ha of Madagascar is forested. Of this 24.2% (3,036,000) is classified as primary forest, the most biodiverse and carbon-dense form of forest. Madagascar had 415,000 ha of planted forest. Between 1990 and 2010, Madagascar lost an average of 56,950 ha or 0.42% per year. In total, between 1990 and 2010, Madagascar lost 8.3% of its forest cover or around 1,139,000 ha. Madagascar’s forests contain 1,626 million metric tons of carbon in living forest biomass.
Madagascar has some 1036 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles according to figures from the World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Of these, 72.1% are endemic, meaning they exist in no other country, and 15.1% are threatened. Madagascar is home to at least 9505 species of vascular plants.
Madagascar’s varied fauna and flora are endangered by human activity. Since the arrival of humans around 2,350 years ago, Madagascar has lost more than 90 percent of its original forest. Some of the major activities being deforestation, growth in cattle herd size, continued reliance on charcoal as a fuel for cooking, and the increased prominence of coffee as a cash crop over the past century.
EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN MADAGASCAR
Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot with many species found nowhere else on the planet. The island hosts many different climates, ranging from dry forests and savannah to tropical rainforests. Over the last several decades in Madagascar, Malagasy people have witnessed their weather changing drastically. These changes impact the daily lives of both human and animal communities across the island.
Rising temperatures and record droughts have steadily worsened in southern Madagascar in recent years. Less rains means drier soils and forests. Due to these droughts, many people in southern Madagascar are struggling to survive with very little water and food to nourish them. The resultant effect an impending famine largely precipitated by global warming.
The Northern region of Madagascar on the other hand is experiencing the direct opposite, but still devastating, effects of climate change. Rainfall has increased in this part of the country, causing annual typhoons that destroy roads and infrastructure. This makes it very hard to reach much of northeast Madagascar from December through March. Because of this, it’s difficult to send supplies to these regions and to monitor forests and lemur populations for several months each year. These typhoons have a devastating effect on tourist sites and fields thereby increasing the cost of regular maintenance.
- GENDER EQUALITY IN MADAGASCAR
Women legally have equal ownership rights. They are allowed to participate in politics and economic decision of the country.
Some prominent women in Madagascar include:
Christine Harijaona Razanamahasoa – Malagasy politician who served as a Minister of Justice and president of Malagasy National Assembly.
Arisoa Razafitrimo – Malagasy politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affair.
Cecile Manorohanta – Malagasy politician who served as Minister of Defense and currently serving as Deputy Prime Minister for the Interior.
Ella Ravelomanantsoa – Malagasy politician and the director of Synergy-FCB
Christine Harijaona Razanamahasoa
Arisoa Razafitrimo
Cecile Manorohanta
Ella Ravelomanantsoa
Voahangy Rajaonarimampianina – Malagasy public figure who held the position of First Lady of Magadascar.
Neny Lalao – Malagasy businesswoman and politician, she also served as First Lady of Magadascar.
Ruffine Tsiranana – Malagasy politician and member of the Senate of Madagascar.
Saraha Georget – Malagasy politician and president of Madagascar Green Party. She was a presidential candidiate in 2013 Malagasy presidential election.
Voahangy Rajaonarimampianina
Neny Lalao
Ruffine Tsiranana
Saraha Georget
