For Malagasy people, and most African countries, children are considered to be “wealth”. However, it is not the case for the Antambahoaka’s tribe, a tribe in the South East region of Madagascar. For them, children are wealth only if they are not twins. In that region, raising twins is “forbidden” because it is believed to be a malediction. In this article, we will have some testimonies from parents who have faced this situation.
When it comes to the Antambahoaka custom, living with twins is forbidden. It is considered as “fady” or taboo. Those who do it are banished from the town or the village. Many parents want to claim their right about it but yet, attached to the customs and traditional values, the Chief of the town/village does not accept it.
“When we had our twins, my family and my community rejected us. They judged us and obliged us to kill one of them but my husband and I did not accept. In our family, when someone is sick or has problems, they judge us. According to them, my twins are the source of the problem” declared a mother.
“After the birth of my twins, none of our family members came to see us because they were afraid that they were going to be rejected like us. It has affected our children because they could not have access to school and medicines as the other kids. As a result, my sons did not receive proper education and when they got sick, we could not go to the hospital. We could not even attend religious events nor have access to the “Tranobe” (traditional sacred house where community events may take place) or to the Family House. We could not celebrate ancestral events such as “Sambatra ” neither an event during which all Antambahoaka boys are circumcised.”, said a mother.
Happily, the government of Madagascar, supported by INGOs, have set up community or regional networks that take care of rejected or abandoned twins in that part of Madagascar. Also, sensitization efforts are made and social and behavioral changes are seen step by step.
–
The blogs published on this news site are created by contributors to the International Youth Coalition. The opinions, views, and statements expressed in these blogs belong solely to the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of the affiliated organization.
About The Contributor
