Category Malagasy Culture

Malagasy culture, complex and profound, is difficult to summarize in just a few words, as it is based on ancient and timeless values. At the heart of this culture lies the concept of Fihavanana, an untranslatable word that embodies the idea of solidarity, mutual aid, and protection within the family, but also between neighbors, members of the same clan, and even across different ethnicities. It is a fundamental principle that guides the life of the Malagasy, both individually and collectively.

In the remote areas of Madagascar, zebu-drawn carts are an iconic sight in the bush. On national roads or isolated paths, it’s not uncommon to see two zebu pulling a cart, accompanied by two or three men and loaded with goods. Although rustic, this mode of transport is invaluable to villagers when options for collective transport are scarce or even nonexistent for connecting isolated villages.

Did you know that Madagascar’s ethnic diversity is the result of centuries of cultural and social exchanges between populations from distant lands? This blending has shaped the island’s identity, creating deep physical, cultural, and social distinctions.