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Merina literally means ''People of the Highlands''. This clan lives in the central highlands, in the most developed area of Madagascar. 95% of the population of Antananarivo are Merina. In the 18th century king [[Andrianampoinimerina]] ruled the Merina Kingdom, the most powerful kingdom ever.

The Merina people are of Malayo-Polynesian origin, which reflects in their appearance: the skin varies from they have light brown to very dark skin colour and the their hair is straight. Most Merina houses are built of bricks and mud, sometimes even two-storeyed. Almost each village has a church, often even two: Catholic and Protestant. The Merina are rice farmers. [[Famadihana]] - the ''turning of the bones'' - is a Merina custom.