Rich Customs

The culture of Madagascar is a strange, colorful fusion of elements from seafaring Borneans and Bantu Africans, Arabic and Tamil traders, and French colonization. There are 18 separate subcultures on the island, each with their own traditions and beliefs, and the Malagasy language is spoken in a variety of dialects. The cuisine reflects Madagascar's broad background as well, with components of East Asian, Chinese, Indian, European, and African cuisines, as well as rice (various) served with everything.

Particularly in Madagascar's more distant areas, there is a rich wealth of ancient rituals and spirituality to be uncovered. The burial tradition of famadihana is one of the practices you may still see today as practicing animists. This rite, also known as the turning of the bones, involves Madagascans bringing their ancestors' bodies out of their crypts and dancing with them while listening to music. While outsiders may be put off by the idea, realize that it is a means for the Malagasy to honor their ancestors.