Malagasy peoples facts for kids
The Malagasy are the main group of people who live on the island country of Madagascar. They speak a language called Malagasy, which comes from a family of languages called Austronesian.
People in Madagascar are often divided into different groups. Some live in the cool central highlands, like the Merina and Betsileo people. Others live along the warm coasts, such as the Sakalava, Bara, and Betsimisaraka.
The Malagasy population has grown a lot over the years. In 1900, there were about 2.2 million Malagasy people. Today, there are around 26.8 million!
 
Top: A Malagasy street vendor; Bottom: A traditional Malagasy Valiha orchestra
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| Total population | |
|---|---|
| c. 26.8 million | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Madagascar, Comoros, Mayotte, Réunion, Mauritius, France, United Kingdom, United States, South Africa, Australia, Canada, New Zealand | |
| Languages | |
| Malagasy (L1) French (L2) |
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| Religion | |
| Christianity, Traditional Faiths, Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
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Contents
Where the Malagasy People Come From
Scientists have studied the genes of people across Madagascar. This big study, called "MAGE," happened between 2008 and 2018. About 3,000 people from 300 villages helped by giving saliva samples.
This research showed that all Malagasy people have a mix of African and Asian ancestors. However, the amount of African and Asian ancestry is different for various groups.
For example, people living near the coast, like the Temoro and Vezo, usually have more African ancestry. They have about 70% African and 30% Asian genes. People in the highlands, however, tend to have less African ancestry, around 45%.
The connection to Asian populations was very interesting to researchers. Studies found a special genetic marker, called the "Malagasy motif," in many Malagasy people. This marker is also found in people from Polynesia.
Scientists believe that Madagascar was first settled about 2,200 years ago. A very small group of people, possibly around 30 women, arrived. Most of them (about 28) came from Southeast Asia, and a few (about 2) were from Africa. Over time, these first settlers mixed with African men who arrived later.
The closest Asian relatives of the Malagasy people are found in what is now Indonesia. Specifically, they are linked to the Banjar and other Dayak people from southern Borneo. Even the Malagasy language has many words that are similar to the Ma'anyan language, which is spoken in Borneo. This shows a strong link to their ancestors from Southeast Asia.
Different Groups and Their History
There are some differences between the people living in the highlands and those on the coast. These differences are not just about their ancestry but also about their history and politics.
In the late 1700s and early 1800s, the Merina kings united their own areas. They then brought the nearby Betsileo people under their rule. Later, they expanded their control to most of the coastal areas of Madagascar.
When France took control of Madagascar as a colony, they used the existing Merina government structure to help them rule. This history of different groups having more or less power has sometimes caused issues in Madagascar, even after it became independent in 1960.
Historically, the Malagasy people were divided into many specific groups. These groups were known for their different ways of life. This included how they farmed, hunted, or fished. Their homes, music, clothing, and local customs (called fady) also made them unique.
Today, some of these differences are not as strong as they used to be. However, many Malagasy people are still very proud to say which group they belong to. It is an important part of their cultural identity.
Here are some of the main Malagasy ethnic groups:
- Highlander groups:
- Merina
- Sihanaka
- Betsileo
- Zafimaniry
- Coastal groups:
- Antaifasy
- Antaimoro
- Antaisaka
- Antambahoaka
- Antandroy
- Antankarana
- Antanosy
- Bara
- Betsimisaraka
- Bezanozano
- Mahafaly
- Makoa
- Mikea
- Sakalava
- Tanala
- Tsimihety
- Vezo
Malagasy People Around the World
Many Malagasy people also live in other countries. This is called the Malagasy diaspora.
Some of the countries with many Malagasy people include France (especially the islands of Mayotte and Réunion), Comoros, South Africa, and the United States.
In the United States, some people with Malagasy ancestors came a long time ago, even as slaves. Others are more recent immigrants from Madagascar. Famous Americans with Malagasy ancestry include Muhammad Ali and Maya Rudolph.
The first recorded African slave in Canada, named Olivier Le Jeune, was brought from Madagascar in 1628.
See also
- Malagasy language
- Culture of Madagascar
