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 amongst a number of other ethnic groups around Farafangana, at the southern end of Pangalanes Canal. 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 according to strict moral codes. Their large collective burial houses (kibory) built with wood or stone are generally hidden in the forest.