Madagascar

The Republic of Madagascar, formerly known as the Malagasy Republic, is located off the southeastern coast of Africa on the fourth largest island in the world. It has a diverse population of 20,654,000, chiefly of mixed Afro-Malaysian and Indonesian descent; there are 18 distinct ethnic groups in the country. Its official languages are French and Malagasy. Most residents follow traditional African religious practices.

The first settlers of Madagascar were the Indonesians. Later, refugees from the wars that followed the death of the prophet Muhammad, in the seventh century CE, arrived from Arabia and the surrounding lands, bringing the religion of Islam with them. Over time, slave traders settled along the west coast; other Arabs from East African settlements came to the island and settled in the northwest. Although outnumbered by Bantu and Indonesian settlers, they had a great impact on the area; many beliefs and practices are directly traced to the Arabs, including the practice of circumcision, as well as various greetings and many words, including those for days and months. Their family and clan systems, based on patriarchal principles, also prevailed over other, matriarchal systems.

The vast majority of people in Madagascar are non-Muslims; fewer than 10% adhere to Islam. However, there is clear evidence that Islam is growing rapidly in the area. There is a great concentration of Muslims in Mahajanga and Antsiranaana on the west coast. Additionally, with the aid of young university graduates who have attended Islamic universities in other countries, the Muslim community has begun to build medical facilities and schools and to provide recreational services. National radio and television are also aiding in the spread and knowledge of Islam.

It is important to note that the majority of people in Madagascar are followers of the traditional religion; indeed 55% of the population are traditionalists. Forty percent are Christians, Protestants, and Catholics, and the rest are Muslims. The traditional religions of Madagascar's people vary, but there are certain basic elements found in common. There is a belief in a chief divinity, a creator god named Andrianahary or Zanahary, and subordinate ones. There is also reverence toward great ancestors, including certain rulers and the original settlers of Madagascar. Inhabitants make pilgrimages to sites of special importance in the lives of these people and perform sacred rites at these places because they believe that there are close ties between the dead ancestors and themselves. The important values of their culture come from these ancestors.

Dead ancestors are termed gods on earth and serve as intermediaries with the creator god. They can also influence daily fortunes, for good or ill. Accordingly, people are careful to perform the rituals and show due respect. Great care is taken to construct tombs for the dead, which are costly and often better arranged than the home of the living. It is as if the people have dual existences—one in their everyday surroundings and a spiritual one in the tombs, which may be quite far from their everyday lives.

Followers of the traditional religion also believe that a person has different souls depending on the different stages of life and death. Moreover, there is a strong belief in fate. However, there are ways of avoiding aspects of fate through the use of divination and amulets of Arabic origin. There are also many taboos that regulate daily life. Thus, particular foods are forbidden at certain times. These taboos vary among the different ethnic groups in Madagascar.

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