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| Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world that is surrounded by the Indian Ocean, off the Southeastern coast of Africa and yes, it is considered Africa… Madagascar is a very unique island! |
Before leaving for the Vanilla Islands, I told friends I was going to meet my family in Africa. The question was asked, “Where?” I responded “Madagascar.” Immediately, people knew of the island. How? Because of the 2005, DreamWorks Animation film, with four funny zoo animals breaking out of New York Zoo and heading back to the wild (before you ask, there are NO penguins here). The next question friends asked me was, “Where is Madagascar located?”
Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world that is surrounded by the Indian Ocean, off the Southeastern coast of Africa and yes, it is considered Africa. It has been recorded that the Malagasy people are closely related to those from Indonesia and are a blend of Asian and African. Today, you will find the culture is mixed with Malays, Portuguese, British, Indian, Creole, Comorans, pirates and finally the French, before becoming the Republic of Madagascar. Madagascar once had its own stable monarchy, which was a consolidation of tribes from the 16th century onwards but it fell to French colonization from the 1890’s onwards.
Is it Safe to Travel in Madagascar?
Anywhere you sit, you will hear Madagascar’s sounds… birdsong, dulcet tones of farm animals, the breeze gently makes the fronds of the laden coconut, moringa and banana trees swaying and sweeping in the air, the smell of ylang ylang, lemongrass and frangipani. Growing up, I knew Madagascar as a vanilla, tea, coffee and chocolate-growing country. These four food items have made the country very famous and most sought after.
Madagascar is just magical, people, food and atmosphere tingles with authenticity It’s what Bali and Fiji were 20-25 years ago. It has signs of the French colonial past tied in with tourism opportunities and small spurts of modernisation. The Malagasy are naturally calm, friendly, and love to talk and are quite inquisitive people. During the day, I have found it safe, during the evening go back to the hotel to hang out and relax. Madagascar is a surprisingly big island and I didn't get a chance to travel to the central and south of the island. You will find that throughout Madagascar will practice different customs and speak various dialects.
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Anywhere you sit, you will hear Madagascar’s sounds… birdsong, dulcet tones of farm animals, the breeze gently makes the fronds of the laden coconut, moringa and banana trees swaying and sweeping in the air, the smell of ylang ylang, lemongrass and frangipani. Growing up, I knew Madagascar as a vanilla, tea, coffee and chocolate-growing country. These four food items have made the country very famous and most sought after. |
What to Expect in Madagascar
The Malagasy will naturally speak French and greet in French. It’s recommended to learn at least 20 French phrases to get by. Most people here speak one to three languages, which are their own tribal language (approx. 11 tribes throughout the country), Malagasy and French. Many of those in the tourism industry will perhaps speak English, Italian, or Spanish. The main religions are Christianity, Islam, and Indigenous beliefs, which I will come back to shortly.
I was fortunate enough to meet Stella, who currently lives in Nosy Be, an island off Madagascar’s northwestern coast. Stella spoke three languages, including English and I interviewed her on the societal norms and dining culture of the country. My family and I were pleasantly surprised with an invitation to her house to taste the local food, which we all appreciated. Here is what I learnt…
The customs and etiquette have changed due to French colonization in city parts however has kept steady without interference from others in the country areas. Etiquette will be different in tourist areas, mostly in the south, from the north and inner Madagascar.
The family organization is key to understanding the culture in Madagascar. It is a hierarchical structure of roles and relationships. Men are generally in charge, if there is none, then the eldest female will take the position. Those who are elderly are never called by name, rather, grandma or grandpa or something I really love and that is calling them by your friend's name. Let’s say your friend's name is Stella. You can call Stella’s mother – “Mama-Stella”. Those who are your peer and younger than you can be called by their first name.
Hello/hi - Miarahaba/manahoana
Nice to meet you: - Faly mahafantatra anao
Welcome - Tongasoa
Thanks/Thank you - Misaotra
Good morning - Miarahaba/manahoana
How are you? - Manahoana ianao? / Manahoana ny fahasalanamao ?
Good bye - Mandrampihaona
Excuse me – Azafady
No, thank you – tsy mila aho fa misaotra
A handshake is the most common form of greeting in business and between men and woman however, understand that the Malagasy people are shy and it may not happen the first time. Handshakes using the right hand while the left hand holds the right arm below the elbow are for those who are elderly and when you want to show ‘great’ respect. It’s very important to remember to give your best smile while you are performing a greeting. You can also do the ‘French version’ of bisou – kiss. Malagasy kiss, three times on the cheek. If a person who is older than you approaches, always get up and perform a greeting, if not, it will be seen as very rude. When approaching a group of people or entering the house, greet your host(s), then speak to the elderly first before anyone else.
If a young Malagasy person is walking past an older person, they will walk past slightly bowing while they walk, displaying ultimate respect, and when giving a gift or present, using two hands whilst leaning in. When making conversation, you can ask about how many members of family you have and if there are children or not.
If you are invited to a local's house, there will be no need to bring a gift, however, due to changes in the past century, bringing a sweet drink is enough. Only bring alcohol when you know the person well and that they drink the beverage. Never buy a tapi as a gift. It is wood that helps you wipe feet before entering a house. Malagasy parties can be mixed sexes.
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| The family organization is key to understanding the culture in Madagascar. It is a hierarchical structure of roles and relationships. Men are generally in charge, if there is none, then the eldest female will take the position. Those who are elderly are never called by name, rather, grandma or grandpa or something I really love and that is calling them by your friend's name. Let’s say your friend's name is Stella. You can call Stella’s mother – “Mama-Stella”. Those who are your peer and younger than you can be called by their first name. |
Here are some common do’s and don’ts whilst traveling through Madagascar:
- Never swear or use derogatory words, use “dirty motion” signs, or get openly drunk.
- Do not show underwear in public. You will see that in the tourist and city areas dressing will be extremely casual however, when people are invited to a relative's house or getting around the country areas, it is prudent to wear appropriate clothing.
- Never throw rubbish, food or plastics, or worse, urinate on the side of the road!
- Due to indigenous beliefs, if you see a tree with a red and white ribbon around it, lemurs (think King Julian), chameleons, waterfalls, or lakes, they believe they are the spirit of the ancestors and should not be touched. Also, many lakes have crocodiles, so be very careful.
- Many Malagasy take independence from France, June 26, 1960, very seriously, they are proud that it ended. So, when the national anthem is playing, hands must be at your side and head erect.
- Never make fun of people's hair, Malagasy braiding is custom and the wearing of braids, for many, is an identifying mark.
Dining Food and Etiquette in Madagascar
My family and I really enjoyed our time at Stella’s house. She was such an accommodating host and cooked the most wonderful traditional dish of Ravi. She told us that today, modern families sit at the table and use a fork and spoon. The children of the family sit on a traditional mat (lamaca) with all the needed plates, bowls and cutlery supplied. They are taught from a young age to eat with complete dining ware. You will wait for the eldest person to gesture to start to eat or they themselves start, indicating that you can lift your fork and spoon and begin. Generally, you will eat in silence and be offered one main dish.
Though the three-course European spread has not entered into Malagasy households, perhaps you may be given cut fruit later after the meal has ended. If you have been invited to stay, this is what you can expect to be provided:
Breakfast – Rice with milk, sugar, boiled black tea
Lunch – Vegetables with zebu or chicken
Dinner – Vegetables, vegetable leaves, and manioc, the mainstay of every Malagasy house
Madagascar was well worth travelling to. It was everything I wanted, plus more. I loved the friendly people, fresh and healthy food, clean and peaceful beaches and marine life which was accessible to everyone. It takes time and patience to travel to Madagascar, being located so far away, but you certainly won’t regret it once you get there.
🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber of The RSVP Institute of Etiquette, is the Site Editor of the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia
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