Ethnic Groups

Madagascar has a large number of so-called ethnic groups or tribes. The various clans are based more on old kingdoms than on ethnic grouping.

• Antaifasy - People of the sands

 Northern Madagascar: near Diego-Suarez

• Antaimoro - People of the coast

 Southeastern Madagascar: near Vohipeno and Manakara

Antaisaka [subgroup of Sakalava] Southern Madagascar: near Farafangana. Search the web for Antaisaka

Antankarana ("Those of the rocks") Northern Madagascar: near Diego-Suarez. Search the web for Antankarana

Antambahoaka ("Those of the people") Southeastern Madagascar: near Mananjary. Search the web for Antambahoaka

Antrandroy ("People of the thorns") Southern Madagascar: near Ambovombe. Search the web for Antrandroy

Antanosy ("People of the island") Southern Madagascar: near Taolagnaro (Ft. Dauphin). Search the web for Antanosy

Bara father and daughter near Isalo

Bara south-central Madagascar: near Isalo, Ihosy and Betroka Search the web for Bara

Betsileo ("The many invincibles") Southern-central highlands of Madagascar: especially around Fianarantsoa but also a splinter group in the Betsiboka region Search the web for Betsileo

Betsimisaraka ("The many inseparables") Eastern Madagascar: Toamasina to Antalaha Search the web for Betsimisaraka

Bezanozano ("Many small plaits") Central highlands and eastern Madagascar: the area between the Betsimisaraka lowlands and the Merina highlands Search the web for Bezanozano

Mahafaly ("Those who make taboos") Southwestern Madagascar: desert around Ampanihy and Ejeda Search the web for Mahafaly

Makoa or Mikea Western Madagascar. Search the web for Mikea

Merina ("People of the highlands") Central highlands of Madagascar. Search the web for Merina

St. Marians Ile Ste Marie (Nosy Boraha) Search the web for St. Marians

Sakalava ("People of the long valleys") Western Madagascar; widespread in this region. Search the web for Sakalava

Sihanaka ("People of the swamps") Northeastern Madagascar: around Lake Alaotra Search the web for Sihanaka

Tanala: Ikongo and Menabe ("People of the forest") Eastern Madagascar: near Manakara Search the web for Tanala

Tsimihety ("Those who do not cut their hair") Northern Madagascar. Search the web for Tsimihety

Vezo [subgroup of Sakalava] Southwestern Madagascar: coastal regions Search the web for Vezo

Zafimaniry village

Zafimaniry South-central Madagascar: highlands near Ambositra In Madagascar woodworking Zafimaniry remember lost forests: In the rolling hills of the southeastern highlands of Madagascar there lives a group of people known as the Zafimaniry, or the "the people of the forest." The Zafimaniry are renowned sculptors of wood and traditionally, virtually every member of the community was involved in some aspect of woodworking and cabinetmaking. Their pictureque homes are assembled completely without nails and, along with their tombs, furniture, tools and everyday objects, are carved with attractive geometric patterns that "are highly codified, reflecting both the Polynesian origins of the community and the Arab influences in Malagasy culture." Search the web for Zafimaniry