The Malagasy people mainly eat rice, but they also eat a protein dish which consists of fish, chick, meat, or beans. When you put both dishes together it is called Kabaka.
Many Malagasy people use side dishes to provide flavor and spice to all the other dishes. Two of these dishes are lasary which is made of chili peppers, green mangoes, and lemons, and the other dish is normazova which is made of green leafy vegetables that are boiled in a broth of their choosing. All Malagasy dishes are either fried, grilled, boiled in water, or cooked with coconut juice. |
In Madagascar Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism take up 75% of all religions.
One of the indigenous beliefs is that in the ponds in the northeast of Madagascar there are a abundant amount of catfish. The Malagasy people believe that these catfish are their ancient ancestors and they are constantly feeding them to ensure good luck and prosperity for anything they do. Islam faith is that they follow Mohammad the prophet and read the Koran. Christianity is where they follow one god, who is God and read the Bible. |
Madagascar is located off of the southeast coast of Africa in the Indian ocean, along the Mozambique channel. It is also the 4th largest island (landmass is 226,498 square miles). Almost 1,000 miles long.
The west coast of Madagascar has deciduous trees on dry open grasslands, which slope down towards the sea. The East coast has several long, narrow lands that lead to an intermediate area of steep bluffs and ravines. It reaches 1,650 feet above sea level. In the south it is defined by Ivakoany Massif to the east, Isala Rainiforme Massif to the north, and the Makayly plateau and desert region. In the North there is a high plateau which contains topographies, round hills, granite outcroppings, and many extinct volcanoes. This is part of the culture because it can effect travel, trade, and where many people live. More people live on the coast than in the mountains because they have better trade and can easily travel. |
Madagascar's economy is based off of agriculture and farming. (85% of their exports are rice.) Madagascar's yearly income on exports is $868.2 million. Their most profitable exports are coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar, cotton cloth, chromite, and petroleum products.
Out of all the Malagasy people 50% are below the poverty line and the other 50% are above the poverty line. |
Children of the Malagasy culture only go to school for 5-7 months and the other months are spent in the fields or having a job to provide for their family.
Many kids only go to school up until the 8th grade. After that they are to busy working or helping their family members. Many of the schools in Madagascar are made of mud bricks and have straw or wooden roofs. 78% of kids families can't afford school supplies and the fees to go to school so most kids only go for a few years. |
Some traditions in Madagascar are:
Famadihana is where you take the body of a person out of their tomb take off the old shroud and replace it with anew one. This is done on the anniversary of the death. Tombs are very important and are colorfully decorated. Alahamadi Be is Madagascar's new year and is a part of every culture in Madagascar. Hiragasy is a day on June 18 in which people have celebrations and competitions. The competitions can range from dancing and eating contests to drinking and music. |