Madagascar

BY: Matthew Stromquist

Religion

Religion “ Although there are many variations, nearly all Malagasy share certain basic religious ideas, the central one being belief in the immortality of the soul. Besides the almighty (called Andrianahary or Zanahary), secondary divinities are recognized, including the earliest inhabitants of the island, legendary kings and queens, and other great ancestors. The burial sites of these secondary deities are objects of veneration and pilgrimage. Muslims are concentrated mostly in the north and northwest. There is also a small number of Hindus among the Indian population. The constitution allows for freedom of religion and this right is generally respected in practice. However, the government restricted the activities of some religious groups following the 2009 coup. Some religious leaders have faced abuse by police and state security forces because of their political stand against the government.” Gale publishers

Hobbies

Hobbies “Madagascar is known for its basket-weaving and painting on silk.” Gale Resources. “ The people of Madagascar enjoy playing many sports, six of which form the core of the country's school- and amateur team-based competitive system: football (soccer), boxing, athletics (track and field), judo, women's basketball, and women's tennis… Action films are very popular, particularly since films are rarely dubbed or subtitled in Malagasy… Folk music has been retained, but much of the singing consists of Western church hymns and chants adapted to the distinctive Malagasy musical style. Several musicians and ensembles of Malagasy origin, including Tarika, have enjoyed a rise to international popularity… The people of Madagascar enjoy playing many sports, six of which form the core of the country’s school- and amateur team-based competitive system: football (soccer), boxing, athletics (track and field), judo, women’s basketball, and women’s tennis.” Brittanica publishers.

Food

Food |“In Madagascar, rice is the most consumed food. Rice is eaten two or three times a day. It is typical to have leftover or fresh rice for breakfast, sometimes served with condensed milk. Lunch and dinner consist of heaping mounds of rice topped with beef, pork, or chicken, with a vegetable relish. Beef is usually served only for a celebration or a religious offering. Koba, the national snack, is a paté (paste) of rice, banana, and peanut. Sakay, a hot red pepper, is usually served on the side with all Malagasy dishes. Dessert usually consists of fruit, sometimes flavored with vanilla.” Gale resources

Education/School

Education/School “In 2017, 70 percent of age-eligible children in Madagascar were enrolled in primary school. Secondary enrollment for age-eligible children stood at 25 percent. Tertiary enrollment was estimated at 8 percent. In 2015, Madagascar had a literacy rate of 64.7 percent. Public expenditure on education represented 2.8 percent of the GDP in 2014. Education is free and compulsory for five years. This is followed by four years of lower secondary education. Students may then attend a three-year program in either general upper secondary studies or technical school studies. The academic year runs from October to July. The University of Madagascar in Antananarivo, established in 1961, has five different campuses in various locations. Also in Antananarivo are the Rural College of Ambatobe and the National Institute of Telecommunications and Posts.” Gale producers

People

People “ Albert Rakoto Ratsimamanga [fr] is by far the most renowned scientist from Madagascar. He was made famous by his extensive work on better understanding the healing properties of the unique endemic flora of Madagascar. He is credited with about 350 scientific publications on topics ranging from the function of the adrenal gland to natural remedies for diabetes… Gisèle Rabesahala was one of the leaders of the struggle for Madagascar's independence. She was a journalist and political activist who founded the newspaper Imongo Vaovao. She was also the first Malagasy woman elected in 1958 as a representative for the city council of Antananarivo, the capital city of Madagascar. She died in 2011, and the Internet was flooded with many tributes saluting her memory… Jean-Luc Raharimanana is a Malagasy writer. By the age of 20, he had already won the Jean-Joseph Rabearivelo Poetry Prize for his early poems. His writings were recognized for their portrayal of the beauty of nature in its native home, but also its poverty and squalor, especially in the shanty towns. In his work, legends and old superstitions are juxtaposed with contemporary political events.” Written by Lova Rakotomalala.

Clothing

Clothing “ Typical attire in Madagascar varies according to location and socioeconomic status. Malagasy who live in the countryside or in the poorer or older parts of the cities are more likely to wear traditional attire; for men, this consists of a large shirt and shorts or long pants, while women, particularly those living in the plateau, may wear dresses with gathered skirts. In the coastal regions, women often wear a wrapped skirt with a top; a rectangular shawl, called a lamba, is also worn, especially on ceremonial occasions. The middle classes frequently wear Western dress, and blue jeans are ubiquitous among the youth of the cities. There too, however, women will often wear an abbreviated form of the lamba, even with Western dress.” Brittanica publishers

Preteen/Teen Social Life

Preteen/Teen social life “ The countryside, home to the majority of Malagasy, remains highly traditional, both in its lifestyle and in its political framework, with most decisions still being made by a council of male elders. Young people who resent this domination and see little economic future in their home villages are one of the main sources of the rural-to-urban migration that has fed the growth of Madagascar’s cities. For rural residents, traditional ceremonies and traveling orators and musicians are a significant source of entertainment. In urban areas, forms of entertainment vary. Some Malagasy join video clubs, which rent and project videos. Action films are very popular, particularly since films are rarely dubbed or subtitled in Malagasy; poorer inhabitants of the cities, however, have reduced access to this type of entertainment.” Britannica publishers.

Coming age traditions

Coming age traditions “ Most Malagasy, regardless of their degree of “modernity,” continue to observe traditional customs, particularly those connected with the family tomb and ceremonies showing respect for the family’s ancestors. The most common of these, aside from burial, is the famadihana, in which the bones of the ancestors are removed from the family tomb, wrapped in new lamba especially woven for that purpose, and placed again in the tomb after the delivery of a kabary, a traditional “special occasion” speech. The kabary is also utilized at other occasions ranging from weddings to the opening of businesses. Speakers who are able to deliver a good speech, filled with appropriate traditional proverbs, are well paid.” Britannica publishers

Citation

Cite Religion https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX1931400294/MSIC?u=loui92184&sid=bookmark-MSIC&xid=4a78c3d8

Hobbies https://www.britannica.com/place/Madagascar/History

Food https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX1931400294/MSIC?u=loui92184&sid=bookmark-MSIC&xid=4a78 c3d8

Education https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ2171500007/MSIC?u=loui92184&sid=bookmark -MSIC&xid=ec2b50ff People https://globalvoices.org/2013/12/12/5-influential-people-from-madagascar-who-yo u-should-know/ Clothing https://www.britannica.com/place/Madagascar/Daily-life-and-social-customs Preteen/Teen Social life https://www.britannica.com/place/Madagascar/History Coming Age Traditions

https://www.britannica.com/place/Madagascar/Daily-life-and-social-customs