Martial Arts

Moraingy (Malagasy) is a weaponless, bare-fisted striking type of ancient Malagasy martial art that emerged under the Sakalava Kingdom's Maroseranana dynasty (1675–1896). It has since gained popularity across Madagascar, particularly in coastal areas, and has expanded to other Indian Ocean islands such as Réunion, Mayotte, Comoros, Seychelles, and Mauritius. This type of battle was traditionally restricted to young men, allowing elders to assess their physical health and strength while also allowing the youth to achieve status and put their abilities to the test. It is no longer limited to male fighters, and competitors battle without weapons, using only their fists and feet. This is also one of the things about Madagascar you should know.

Moraingy fights must be accompanied by music (typically salegy) in order to generate a trance-like condition in the fighters and participants, adding to the spiritual and communal experience of the battle. Participants in this event generally engage in dances during and between matches that are intended to anger rival party supporters, while the crowd cheers and jeers loudly.