The Malagasy People


Contrary to common assumptions, there is ongoing debate about who first settled Madagascar. Some anthropologists believe that the island was first inhabited around 2,000 years ago by Austronesian seafarers from present-day Indonesia, rather than by people from mainland Africa. According to this theory, Bantu-speaking Africans arrived at a later date. Others propose that the first Malagasy people were already a mixed population of Indonesians and Africans before reaching Madagascar, having interacted along ancient maritime trade routes.

Regardless of the exact migration sequence, most experts agree that Madagascar’s human settlement is relatively recent. Unlike many parts of Africa, there is no evidence of a Stone Age in Madagascar, suggesting that the island was first settled around the same time that Polynesians reached some of the world’s most remote islands in the Pacific. Over time, additional migrations brought new influences, including traders from the Middle East, South Asia, and the Swahili Coast.

The diverse origins of the Malagasy (the name for the people of Madagascar) have shaped a unique and dynamic cultural landscape, blending traditions from Southeast Asia, Africa, India, and the Middle East. In his book The Eighth Continent, Peter Tyson describes this cultural synthesis:
    "The Indonesian element in Malagasy culture is the most predominant, with the language [Malagasy is most closely related to a dialect from Borneo], rice culture, and belief in the ancestors [see 'razana' below]. The African influence is evident in the widespread reverence for Zebu cattle (Zebu are 'humped' cattle originally from India, known scientifically as Bos indicus), while Arab origins can be seen in some belief systems, trading patterns, and linguistic elements—including the names of months and days of the week, as well as words for money, books, and musical instruments."
While the Malagasy share a common language, significant regional differences exist in religious practices, traditions, and even physical appearance. Madagascar is home to more than 20 ethnic groups, ranging from the Merina people of the central highlands—who have physical features more closely resembling Indonesians—to the Antaimoro people of the eastern coast, who have strong historical ties to Arabic traders.

For those interested in learning more about Madagascar’s diverse ethnic groups, the Bradt guide and The Eighth Continent are excellent resources.

Madagascar People Photos
Studies prove people of Madagascar came from Borneo and Africa

Sections