As you travel through the central highlands and other regions of Madagascar, you’ll notice the distinct differences among the people. These differences are evident not only in their appearance—such as skin color, hairstyles, and clothing—but also in their daily lives, which are shaped by their customs. Each tribe has developed its own way of life based on its environment. In total, Madagascar is home to 18 tribes.
Dyna MADAGASCAR
Madagascar is an island rich in cultural diversity with many ethnicities or tribes, each with its own traditions, languages and peculiarities:
Merina: Located in the Central Highlands around Antananarivo, the Merina are rice farmers on terraces. Their name means « those of the highlands ».
Betsimisaraka : Located on the east coast, around Toamasina, the Betsimisaraka are fishermen and vanilla farmers. Their name means « those who are inseparable ».
Sakalava: On the west coast, from Majunga to Toliara, the Sakalava are zebu breeders with a strong monarchical tradition. Their name means « the people of the long the shore ».
Antandroy : In the arid south of Madagascar, the Antandroy are herders and farmers, their name means « the people of thorns ».
Antaisaka: In the southeast around Farafangana, the Antaisaka are farmers and their name means « those who are descended from the sakalava ».
Bara: Living in the plateaus of the southwest, the Bara are zebu herders, and their culture emphasizes courage and initiation rites.
Betsileo: Located around Fianarantsoa, the Betsileo are experts in rice terraces and water management. Their name means « the many invincibles », in reference to their historical resistance.
Antankarana: Located in the far north around Diego-Suarez (Antsiranana), the Antankarana are attached to maritime rituals and their traditional monarchy. Their name means « those of the rocks », in connection with their rocky environment.
Tsimihety: Residents of the north-central Mandritsara region, the Tsimihety are farmers who reject centralized authority. Their name means « those who do not cut their hair », in reference to their refusal to submit to kings.
Vezo: Located on the southwest coast, the Vezo are nomadic fishermen, closely linked to the sea. Their name means « those who paddle », in reference to their fishing-based lifestyle.
Mahafaly: Located in the southwest, the Mahafaly are breeders renowned for their tombs decorated with zebu sculptures. Their name means « those who make people happy », referring to their festive rituals and ceremonies.
Antemoro: On the south-east coast, around Manakara, the Antemoro are astrologers and scholars, known for having introduced Arabic writing to Madagascar. Their name means « those of the shore ».
Antambahoaka: Also located on the east coast, near Mananjary, the Antambahoaka are known for their religious rituals and strict traditions. Their name means « the people of the people, » emphasizing their sense of community ».
Antanosy: Living in the southeast around Fort-Dauphin (Tôlanaro), the Antanosy are farmers and herders. Their name means « those of the island », in connection with the island of Nosy or the fact that they live near the shores.
Tanala: Located in the forests of the southeast, the Tanala are itinerant hunters and farmers, living in harmony with the forest. Their name means « those of the forest ».
Zafimaniry: Inhabiting the forests of the eastern Highlands, the Zafimaniry are artisans famous for their UNESCO-listed wood carvings. Their name means « the descendants of desire », in reference to their connection with nature.
Mikea: Living in the dry forests of the west, the Mikea are a semi-nomadic people, known for their primitive way of life based on hunting, gathering, and shifting agriculture. Their name could derive from the Malagasy word for « seek », in connection with their constantly changing way of life.
Sihanaka: Located around Lake Alaotra in the northeast, the Sihanaka are mainly farmers and fishermen. Their name means « those of the marshes », due to their proximity to the marshy areas.