Antankarana

The Antankarana people are an ethnic group living in the north of Madagascar around Antsiranana (Diego Suarez). Antankarana literally means Those of the Rocks, referring to the limestone rock formations (tsingy) and mountains which characterise their territory. The Sambirano river forms the border in the south.

In the middle of the 18th century, the Antankarana people were conquered by the Sakalava people. The Antankarana people are mainly fishermen or cattle farmers. They grow only a few crops such as maize, rice and cassava on a small scale.