MADAGASCAR
Religion

Religion

The Afro-Asian ancestry of the Madagassians has created a complicated but fascinating world of belief. In particular, the belief in the power of the dead ancestors (the razana) who still intervene in daily life is very strong. For example, accidents are attributed to evil ancestors, who have to be appeased with a sacrifice.

Another phenomenon is called "fady". Fady is the belief in actions and behavior that are "dangerous to ..."
An example: “it is dangerous to give an egg to someone immediately; it must be put on the ground first.

There is still a taboo on twins among the Antaisakas, and it still happens that they are killed or left in a forest after birth.

Tomb in Madagascar covered with zebu horns_{Photo: Moongateclimber CC 3.0 Unported no changes made}

“Vintana” is another custom and has to do with time. Every day has something special. Thus, Thursday is the day for weddings and Friday is the day for funerals.

Funeral customs are many and differ from tribe to tribe and even from family to family. Madagascar's most famous ritual is the reburial or Famadihana. It is the most direct way to get in touch with the deceased ancestors. During this ritual, all the dead are taken from the family grave. They dance and party with them to show them that people still care deeply about the deceased.

Fady, dancing with the dead in Madagasca_{Photo: Smarteeee in the public domain}

Half of the inhabitants also adhere to animistic beliefs. Animism is a primal belief in which it is believed that all earthly things such as trees, animals or even stones have their own spiritual power.

From the 18th century, missionaries were coming and going. Protestantism was the first to gain a foothold in Madagascar.

Protestant church in Antananarivo, Madagascar_{Photo: Antsahadinta CC 4.0 International no changes made}

As French influence grew stronger, Catholicism soon gained the upper hand. About 45% of the population is Christian, about the same number of Roman Catholics as Protestants.

Cathedral of Antsirabe, Madagascar_{Photo: Bernard Gagnon CC 3.0 Unported no changes made}

About 5% of the population is Muslim. They mainly live in northern cities like Mahajanga.

Mohammed V Mosque in Antsirabe, Madagascar_{Photo: Boldair CC 3.0 Unported no changes made}

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Sources

Bradt, H. / Madagascar
Bradt

Greenway, P. / Madagascar & Comoros
Lonely Planet

Lanting, F. / Madagascar : een wereld verdwaald in de tijd
Fragment

Rozeboom, A. / Madagaskar: mensen, politiek, economie, cultuur, milieu
Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen/Novib

Stevens, R. / Madagascar
Chelsea House Publishers

CIA - World Factbook

BBC - Country Profiles

Last updated November 2024
Copyright: Team The World of Info