Sakalava people

The Sakalava are a resident in Madagascar ethnic group ( Research Committee ). The Sakalava now account for about 6 % of the Malagasy population, but settle on the west coast a quarter of the area of ​​the island.

Culture

The name Sakalava probably means " from the long valley ". According to his own understanding, they are mainly ranchers. It is practiced a cult of ancestors in the form of ceremonial communication with the deceased in a trance ( tromba ) and the Feast of the washing of the relics ( fitampoha ).

History

The Sakalava had until the 19th century two of its own great kingdoms, the Morondava and the Boina of the north with its capital Boeny ( also referred to as Antsoheribory ) of Menabe on the southern section of the west coast to the capital. Later, the port city of Mahajanga, a central hub for the slave trade, to the capital and Boeny as the capital was abandoned. The king was sitting in the near Mahajanga to Marovoay ( " there where there are many crocodiles " ) installed. The Sakalava stood for a long time at war with the Merina, finally arranged but under the power ambitions of the king Andrianampoinimerina.