The Antandroy, nicknamed “those of the thorns,” live in the most arid region of Madagascar, in the extreme south of the island. Highly active and mobile, they have gradually settled in the north of Madagascar, fleeing the drought and lack of water and food in the south. Their nickname “thorny” comes from the local vegetation, characterized by thorny plants.
In these lands hostile to man, the Antandroy perpetuate an austere pastoral culture. Their main daily objective is to find water and pasture for their herds. Like the Mahafaly, the Antandroy venerate the “Ombiasy,” healers renowned for their mastery of divination, known as “sikidy,” and spells.
Despite these perceptions, the Antandroy remain one of Madagascar’s most cultured ethnic groups, with exceptional expertise in traditional dances and in crafting landihazo clothing. Their in-depth knowledge of nature and the environment is also an intriguing aspect of their culture, particularly their great adaptability.
The Antandroy are also known for their “Valavato,” parallelepiped-shaped stone heaps used as royal tombs. These monuments can be up to 50 meters square and 1.50 meters high. The body of the deceased is buried in a coffin made from two hollowed-out tree trunks. On either side of the “Valavato,” two standing stones symbolize man and woman: the male stone, Valotalhy, and the female stone, Vatovavy. The tombs feature “bucrânes” and “Aloalo” (carved posts), often acquired from the Mahafaly.
