Antambahoaka

From MadaCamp
Revision as of 13:36, 1 January 2010 by MissMada (talk | contribs)

(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to: navigation, search

Antambahoaka literally means Those of the people. With a population of 0.4% they are the smallest tribe in Madagascar. They live around Mananjary south of the Betsimisaraka territory on the southeast coast of Madagascar.

Antambahoaka woman around 1908
Antambahoaka man around 1908

The Antambahoaka are of Arabian origin and are mainly Muslim. They are descendants of Raminia Rabevahoaka, a king who came from Mecca to Madagascar around the early 14th century. The Antambahoaka served the courts of kings throughout Madagascar with their deep knowledge of astrology and medicine.

Every seven years a large group circumcision is carried out in Mananjary. They use a kibory (communal burial house) to bury the deceased.