In each region of the big island, we can see a contrast between the culture of the Malagasy population, but there exist identical ways of doing things, due to their common origin. Regardless of location, Malagasy people are generally matriarchal. In the word “country” in Malagasy which is called « firenena » for example, there is the root “mother” or “reny”. The Malagasy worship their origin and their ancestors, which is why they have great respect for the “mother”, the origin of life. The ancestral beliefs relating to women are numerous and are based above all on respect.
Role of Women
Mothers direct the smooth running of the family and devote themselves to the daily household chores. Nevertheless, in the past and until today, women who can’t be pregnant are frowned upon by society and this for some regions still remains a taboo. This is why in several parts of Madagascar, you can meet statues or statuettes which represent the body of the woman, erected in the belief to fight sterility. Most Malagasy people still think that if a couple can’t have a baby, it is caused by the woman.
Men as leaders
Men also have an important place in the family. Though most Malagasy are matriarchal, the man remains the head of the family or as the head of the tribe in most cases. It’s because men once coordinated to protect the village, go to war or hunt, tasks that require the robustness of the male body.
The beauty of children
Children are generally considered a gift from heaven, an immeasurable wealth for the family, and symbolize the continuity of life. A newborn’s family practices rituals before, during, and after birth. These rites, which are specific to the local or universal culture such as circumcision, allow children according to the belief, to become good people and always remain in good health. Nonetheless, popular beliefs that ruins life still persist among certain communities in Madagascar, particularly regarding the consideration of twins.
The unwanted twins
Some consider twins as a blessing, while others consider it taboo. The Merina (Dwellers of the highlands) around the 19th Century preferred to keep only one child and gave up the other to a relative of the large family. Nowadays, this practice is still relevant for the Antambahoaka who live in the Southeast of the island. The latter still practices the rejection of one of the twins. Several variants of the rejection go against the rights of the child and in some cases lead to death. These populations consider twins taboo and sometimes the family calls on sorcerers to strangle and kill these children. There are several reasons for this, some unfounded such as if the mother died in childbirth she gave birth to twins. However, it is mainly because of the precarious situation of the families. Fortunately, nowadays, there are foundations and organizations (such as the french foundation « La Cause ») that take care of the children not wanted by the family by creating orphanages in these regions.
Harnessing the wisdom of the Old
The Malagasy devote deep respect to grandparents because afterlife, it is them who will become the ancestors and Malagasy people believe that ancestors are carriers of power and defend life. The wise elders are consulted by the youth for their wisdom and experience. Malagasy people have always taken good care of their parents until their death and after too. However, currently due to modernization, some families send their grandparents to retirement homes.
Safeguarding the Malagasy family institution
The family is and has always been a sacred institution for Malagasy people but nowadays, family time won’t exist anymore. Children, parents, and even elders spend more time on technology such as smartphones, television, or radio. The youngest spend their time on social media, parents also begin to adhere to this practice and elders spend more time watching or listening to news on television or on the radio (More about the impact of technology on family time: https://www.ruanliving.com/blog/impact-of-technology-on-family-time). It is not uncommon now to encounter broken families or families destroying each other, turning a blind eye to the precious lesson of the ancestors on the importance of family and family solidarity.
Main source about twins: “The twins of Mananjary – Between abandonment and protection”. Gracy FERNANDES, Ignace RAKOTO, Nelly RANAIVO RABETOKOTANY.2010.UNICEF. – Study on the Mananjary twins. CAPDAM/Min Justice.2007.
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