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Ethnic groups in Madagascar


Madagascar has a number of ethnic groups or tribes. To learn more about these groups I highly recommend Hilary Bradt's guide to Madagascar

Countries Studies content:
Population and Ethnicity
Peoples of the East Coast
Peoples of the West Coast
Peoples of the Central Highlands
Peoples of the Tsaratamana Massif and the Southwest
Minorities in Madagascar


Antaifasy ("People of the sands")
Northern Madagascar: near Diego-Suarez.
Search the web for Antaifasy

Antaimoro ("People of the coast")
Southeastern Madagascar: near Vohipeno and Manakara.
Search the web for Antaimoro

Antaisaka [subgroup of Sakalava]
Southern Madagascar: near Farafangana.
Search the web for Antaisaka

Antankarana ("Those of the rocks")
Northern Madagascar: near Diego-Suarez.
Search the web for Antankarana

Antambahoaka ("Those of the people")
Southeastern Madagascar: near Mananjary.
Search the web for Antambahoaka

Antrandroy ("People of the thorns")
Southern Madagascar: near Ambovombe.
Search the web for Antrandroy

Antanosy ("People of the island")
Southern Madagascar: near Taolagnaro (Ft. Dauphin).
Search the web for Antanosy

Bara father and daughter near Isalo

Bara
south-central Madagascar: near Isalo, Ihosy and Betroka
Search the web for Bara

Betsileo ("The many invincibles")
Southern-central highlands of Madagascar: especially around Fianarantsoa but also a splinter group in the Betsiboka region
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Betsimisaraka ("The many inseparables")
Eastern Madagascar: Toamasina to Antalaha
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Bezanozano ("Many small plaits")
Central highlands and eastern Madagascar: the area between the Betsimisaraka lowlands and the Merina highlands
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Mahafaly ("Those who make taboos")
Southwestern Madagascar: desert around Ampanihy and Ejeda
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Makoa or Mikea
Western Madagascar.
Search the web for Mikea

Merina ("People of the highlands")
Central highlands of Madagascar.
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St. Marians
Ile Ste Marie (Nosy Boraha)
Search the web for St. Marians

Sakalava ("People of the long valleys")
Western Madagascar; widespread in this region.
Search the web for Sakalava

Sihanaka ("People of the swamps")
Northeastern Madagascar: around Lake Alaotra
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Tanala: Ikongo and Menabe ("People of the forest")
Eastern Madagascar: near Manakara
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Tsimihety ("Those who do not cut their hair")
Northern Madagascar.
Search the web for Tsimihety

Vezo [subgroup of Sakalava]
Southwestern Madagascar: coastal regions
Search the web for Vezo

Zafimaniry village

Zafimaniry
South-central Madagascar: highlands near Ambositra
In Madagascar woodworking Zafimaniry remember lost forests: In the rolling hills of the southeastern highlands of Madagascar there lives a group of people known as the Zafimaniry, or the "the people of the forest." The Zafimaniry are renowned sculptors of wood and traditionally, virtually every member of the community was involved in some aspect of woodworking and cabinetmaking. Their pictureque homes are assembled completely without nails and, along with their tombs, furniture, tools and everyday objects, are carved with attractive geometric patterns that "are highly codified, reflecting both the Polynesian origins of the community and the Arab influences in Malagasy culture."
Search the web for Zafimaniry