- 18 ethnic groups in Madagascar
- The most prominent ethnic group is known as the Merina people.
- The name is said to mean “elevated people”.
- This is attributed to a large plateau located in central Madagascar where the Merina people settled.
- Staple of the Merina diet is rice. Eating rice is viewed as holy or “masina”.
- The Merina people took after the French belief that looked down on people who ate bread over rice.
- Social Status
- Andriana are nobles
- Nova are free men or commoners
- Andevo are slaves.
- Your social status is based on your ancestors life and how they had lived. Criminals will be viewed as andevo, whereas indigenous leaders will be viewed as nobles.
- All ethnic groups in Madagascar celebrate Famadihana is some way.