Betsileo people

The Betsileos are an important tribe in the south central highlands of Madagascar in the region of Fianarantsoa, its capital, and Ambositra. With a share of about 13 % the Betsileos are the third largest ethnic group in Madagascar. They are known for their rice cultivation in terraces that are found on the slopes of many mountains and crossed by masterful irrigation systems.

In the past the homes of ordinary Betsileos from twigs and branches were established, the superiors had wooden houses that were decorated with geometric carvings and with cattle skulls. The graves of Betsileos are decorated with symbolic grave stelae carved from wood, which can be up to 20 m high. As the Merina they practice the custom of turning over the dead ( famadihana ).

The Zafimaniry, a subgroup of the Betsileos, have become known for their outstanding woodcarving, which has also been included by UNESCO in the list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2003.

Zafimaniryfrau in rice drying