Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Malagasy Life
Behaviour & Etiquette
On arrival in Madagascar your first impression is likely to be of a polite but rather reserved
people. This apparent timidity is a reflection of
fihavanana
, which means 'conciliation' or
'brotherhood': it stresses avoidance of confrontation and achievement of compromise in all
walks of life. It is unseemly to discuss some subjects, such as personal problems, even with
close friends. Likewise, searching or indiscreet questions are avoided at all costs.
Most Malagasy surnames start with the honorary prefix 'Ra', the equival-
ent of 'Mr'. Similarly, many kings' names started with 'Andriana', a term
that roughly translates as 'noble'.
The welcoming of strangers and the traditions of hospitality are held sacred throughout
Madagascar. It is considered a household duty to offer food and water to a guest, no matter
how poor the inhabitants are themselves. In return, travellers should always honour this hos-
pitality by accepting what has been offered to them.
Politeness in general is very important to the Malagasy, and impatience or pushy beha-
viour is regarded as shocking. Passengers queuing for a flight, for instance, will place their
tickets in a neat row on the check-in desk or put their luggage in an orderly line before pa-
tiently awaiting their turn.
FADY
Fady
is the name given to local taboos designed to respect the ancestors.
Fady
can take innumerable forms and vary widely from village to village. It may be
fady
to whistle on a particular stretch of beach, to walk past a sacred tree, to eat
pork or to swim in a certain river.
Although foreigners will be excused for breaking
fady
, travellers should make
every effort to respect these taboos. The best thing to do is to ask locals for in-
formation, and to be particularly careful on sacred sites and in the vicinity of
tombs or burial sites.
Population & Language
Malagasypeoplearedividedinto18tribes,whoseboundariesareroughlybasedonoldking-
doms. Tribal divisions are still evident between ancient enemies such as the Merina and the
Antakàrana. Also important is the distinction between Merina highlanders - who have more
prominent Asian origins and are associated with the country's aristocracy - and so-called
