Antaifasy

Antaifasy literally means People of the sands. About 1.2% of the population of Madagascar are Antaifasy. They are the most important ethnic group among a number of others around Farafangana, at the southern end of the Canal des Pangalanes. The Antaifasy probably originate from the Sakalava people on the west coast of Madagascar and moved to the southeastern coast as an independent group about 100 years ago.

The Antaifasy are divided into three clans, each with an own prince or king. The Antaifasy people live on very strict moral codes. Their large collective burial houese (kibory) built of wood or stone are generally hidden in the forest.