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The Population

There are 18 ethnic groups in Madagascar
The island populating would have been made during centuries around the beginning of Christian era . Anthropological , ethnographical and linguistic data connect the Malagasy people to the Indonesians , Southeast Asia populations . Undoubtedly , influences and groups have come from Africa and the Arabic world , but the background is essentially Asian Behind human types varieties and way of life , the language is the common denominator of all Malagasy : bound to the Malaysia - Polynesia dialects , it proves that groups originating from this region have spread throughout the island and fastened the linguistic unit . The very compartmentalized relief of the island has favored the multiplicity of groups , living withdrawn into themselves . This desintegration of the human environment , as well as the different civilization levels, have favored the geographical determinism. The main ethnic groups represent in their localization and their way of life the degree of adaptation to natural conditions . Transplanted in a various and vast world , the Malagasy acquire their own characters : they are no more Asians , they are not Africans : in their insular environment , they form an original element , a world apart in a small continent . We distinguish :
- The forest People : the TANALA and the BEZANOZANA
- The east coast People : the BETSIMISARAKA : in the southeast : the ANTAMBAHOAKA , ANTAIMORO , ANTAIFASY , ANTAISAKA , ANTANOSY and in the north east : the TSIMIHETY
- The pastoral people : the BARA , SAKALAVA and ANTAKARANA
- The People of the high land : the MERINA , SIHANAKA and BETSILEO
- Southern people : the ANTANDROY , VEZO , MAHAFALY

« those who live in the sands », in the south east coast , in the region of Farafangana .

(those of the coast ), are found in the eastern coastal plain between Mananjary and Vohipeno. This group has for origin an Antalaotra islamized immigration coming from the Comoro archipelago. They hold the "Sorabe" (Koran holy Scripture) These books contain the Koran "surate", the group origins , the divination...... They are protected by the "Kabibo" .They have also introduced the "Antemoro " paper manufacturing process .

( these coming from Sakalava ) have been redoutable warriors during previous centuries, they settled in Mananara banks . Their habitation mainly built with ravenala is heightened by piles, the interior is carpeted by an isolating cob . The funeral traditions are inspired from the Antemoro .The Kibory ( collective tombs) are built on height .

( these who inhabit the tsingy ) at the 17 th century , a group of Sakalava , living in the west, led by their chief Kozobe settled in the North in the surroundings of Diégo . They founded in the beginning of the 18 th century the Antakarana Kingdom spreading from Ambilobe to the Cape Ambre under the Sakalava protection . During the different conflicts with the Merina, the Antakarana took refuge in the numerous caves and caverns of the Ankarana mountainous massif . The Antakarana celebrate every five years the ceremony of the " Tsanga-tsaina " that commemorates the advent of the Antakarana ancient kingdom kings and emphasize the unity and the survival of the Antakarana community .

(those loved by the people), this tribe represents the descendants of a certain Ravalarivo called Ratiambahoaka hence the name given to its descendants “ Antambahoaka “ and which occupied the area of Mananjary. Of Moslem origin, some cultured men can still retranscribe their language in Arab writings . The clan chiefs should not eat pig and the meat must come from bled animals.

"Those of the spines " living in the extreme south of the Island, they occupy their daily life in the search of waterhole and of new pastures. They excel in silversmith trade and tattooings. On the royal tombs or Valavato are set up Aloalo and "bucrânes", outward sign of wealth. On the oher hand , the " Ombiasy " a kind of great wizard are considered to practise the art of the divination and the magic spells

"Those of the Island" ; group descendant of Raminia ancestor common to several groups of populations in the South. They have more than one string to their bow: excellent rice growers, having great experience in the forging mill, they are also good carpenters. Occupying first the region of Tolagnaro, some emigrated towards west in the mid-Onilahy and its right-side tributaries . Thanks to them, Betioky becomes the granary of the province of Tuléar.

occupy the plateau of the South enclosed by Beroroha in north, Midongy Sud in the east , Sakaraha in the west and the river Mangoky in the south . Originating from Africa (Bantous), they are seminomad pastors, turned towards zebus breeding ,they worship their livestock. The theft of zebus belonged to their tradition, proof of a certain bravery for the young people.

" the many invincible " third by its numerical importance, occupy the south of the Highlands limited by the region of Ambositra in north, the Andringitra massif in the south, the skirt of forest in the east and the Mounts of Itremo in the west. Excellent farmers, they developed on hillside terraced ricefields thanks to original irrigation systems. THe "Teza" and the "Vatolahy" carved wood posts, represent he Betsileo funerary art .

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