Ethnic groups in Madagascar

Madagascar has a number of ethnic groups or tribes. To learn more about these groups I highly recommend Hilary Bradt's guide to Madagascar

Countries Studies content:
Population and Ethnicity
Peoples of the East Coast
Peoples of the West Coast
Peoples of the Central Highlands
Peoples of the Tsaratamana Massif and the Southwest
Minorities in Madagascar


Antaifasy ("People of the sands")
Northern Madagascar: near Diego-Suarez.
Antaifasy

Antaimoro ("People of the coast")
Southeastern Madagascar: near Vohipeno and Manakara.
Antaimoro

Antaisaka [subgroup of Sakalava]
Southern Madagascar: near Farafangana.
Antaisaka

Antankarana ("Those of the rocks")
Northern Madagascar: near Diego-Suarez.
Antankarana

Antambahoaka ("Those of the people")
Southeastern Madagascar: near Mananjary.
Antambahoaka

Antrandroy ("People of the thorns")
Southern Madagascar: near Ambovombe.
Antrandroy

Antanosy ("People of the island")
Southern Madagascar: near Taolagnaro (Ft. Dauphin).
Antanosy

Bara
south-central Madagascar: near Isalo, Ihosy and Betroka
Bara

Betsileo ("The many invincibles")
Southern-central highlands of Madagascar: especially around Fianarantsoa but also a splinter group in the Betsiboka region
Betsileo

Betsimisaraka ("The many inseparables")
Eastern Madagascar: Toamasina to Antalaha
Betsimisaraka

Bezanozano ("Many small plaits")
Central highlands and eastern Madagascar: the area between the Betsimisaraka lowlands and the Merina highlands
Bezanozano

Mahafaly ("Those who make taboos")
Southwestern Madagascar: desert around Ampanihy and Ejeda
Mahafaly

Makoa or Mikea
Western Madagascar.
Mikea

Merina ("People of the highlands")
Central highlands of Madagascar.
Merina

St. Marians
Ile Ste Marie (Nosy Boraha)
St. Marians

Sakalava ("People of the long valleys")
Western Madagascar; widespread in this region.
Sakalava

Sihanaka ("People of the swamps")
Northeastern Madagascar: around Lake Alaotra
Sihanaka

Tanala: Ikongo and Menabe ("People of the forest")
Eastern Madagascar: near Manakara
Tanala

Tsimihety ("Those who do not cut their hair")
Northern Madagascar.
Tsimihety

Vezo [subgroup of Sakalava]
Southwestern Madagascar: coastal regions
Vezo

Zafimaniry
South-central Madagascar: highlands near Ambositra
In Madagascar woodworking Zafimaniry remember lost forests: In the rolling hills of the southeastern highlands of Madagascar there lives a group of people known as the Zafimaniry, or the "the people of the forest." The Zafimaniry are renowned sculptors of wood and traditionally, virtually every member of the community was involved in some aspect of woodworking and cabinetmaking. Their pictureque homes are assembled completely without nails and, along with their tombs, furniture, tools and everyday objects, are carved with attractive geometric patterns that "are highly codified, reflecting both the Polynesian origins of the community and the Arab influences in Malagasy culture."
Zafimaniry