Madagascar+Culture

Culture
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**Religions:**
The majority practice the Malagasy religion but there are a small number of Indian citizens who practice Hinduism and around 5% of the population are Islamic. toc

**Beliefs:**
The dead are highly importance in the Malagasy religion and a central role in connecting the living with their God. The dead are build magnificent tombs, that are often bigger and nicer than the home of the living. The state of the tomb represents the level of importance the individual had while living. The humped cattle are also considered highly sacred under the Malagasy religion and wealth is often measured in the size of someone's heard of cattle.



**Important Religious Words/Figures:**

 * God: Zanahary (creator) or Andriamanitra (sweet, fragrant Lord)
 * Ombiasy or Mpanandro: healers or astrologers. These people say when acceptable days to get married, to build a house, or even to bury a loved one are.
 * Vinata: fate stated by the positions of the sun, moon, and stars
 * Fady: taboos of certain substances or foods and the timing of certain events. In order to prevent a fady from happening, the Malagasy people consult with the ombiasy.
 * Sampy: Idols or talisman that have supernatural powers to protect the city.

**Traditions:**

 * Famadihana: This is a long process during which family and friends get together and visit the tomb of a loved one. During this visit, the body in the tomb is removed, wrapped in clean clothes, and replaced inside the tomb. This is an incredibly expensive process because food and shelter must be provided for a large number of people. This even can also not take place until the Ombiasy says it can.
 * Ibonia: This is the showcase for poems and storytelling. Oral traditions are a large part of Madagascar society and many of their mythology and customs are handed down through the art of storytelling

**Social Life:**
Most of the Malagasy people live in rural areas. In these areas, there is still a very traditional set up, where there is a group of male elders who make the majority of the decisions for the town. Madagascar is currently in a transition from the older traditional way of life to a more modern, Westernized way of life. The government has encouraged the blending of these two ways of life by instilling events such as the Festival of Lights and the Festival of Trees. media type="youtube" key="yfrEiPtrHE0" height="349" width="425"

**Sports:**[[image:sport.jpg align="right" caption="A form of hand to hand combat that is typical in Madagascar" link="http://www.answers.com/topic/madagascar"]]
Sports have become an important part of recreation in Madagascar, especially football (soccer), women's tennis, women's basketball, hand to hand combat (similar to boxing) and track and field. Madagascar first went to the Olympics in 1964 in Tokyo and they also participate in the African games held every year.

**Language:**
The majority of the population speaks Malagasy although French and English are also recognized as official languages. Let's learn a few words of Malagasy!
 * Hello/How are you/ Good day: Manahoana, Salama, Akory, Manakory
 * Welcome!: Tonga sao!
 * Good-bye: Veloma
 * Yes- Eny
 * You're Welcome:Tsy misy fisaorana

**Na****tional Holidays:**
Below is a list of a few of the National Holidays celebrated in Madagascar
 * March 29th- Celebrates the 1947 Rebellion
 * May 1st- Labor Day
 * June 26th- Independence Day
 * August 15th- Assumption Day

**More Information:**

 * In-depth information on Madagascar culture and life.**

**Multiple Choice Questions:**
a) Ombiasy b) Zanahary c) Eny d) Sampy
 * 1) Famadihana is an important event to the people of Madagascar. This event cannot take place without which critical person:**

a) Football (soccer) b) Women's Tennis c) Men's Basketball d) Track and Field
 * 2) Which of the following is not a sport played in Madagascar:**

**Answers to Multiple Choice Questions:**
Highlight the number and the space next to it in order to see the answer.


 * 1)** a
 * 2)** c

**References**

 * "Madagascar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2011. .
 * "Madagascar Public Holidays." //World Map, Map of the World//. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2011. .
 * "Madagascar Traditional Beliefs and Religion." //Country Studies//. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2011. .
 * Rasoloson, Janie. "Malagasy words for basic introductions." //Madagascar//. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2011. .