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MadagascarPeople of Madagascar and their language are Malagasy.
Malagasy
people are mostly of mixed Asian and African origins. Some researchers
believe that the island was uninhabited until about 2000 years
ago, when Indonesian sailors settled there. More Asian people
came over the centuries. The Malagasy people come from a number
of other different origins, including African, Arab, French, Indian,
Creole and Comoran. All the different groups contributed elements
of their customs and beliefs, and today these all come together
to form the Malagasy culture.
About a third
of the people live in cities or towns. Most live in rural areas.
Antananarivo, the
capital, is the largest city, with a population about one and
a half million people. Other main cities or towns are Toamasina,
Mahajanga, Fianarantsoa and Toliara.
Village houses in
the highlands
The Malagasy language is generally spoken throughout the island.
French is also a language spoken on the island because for a time
it was a French colony. 'Colony' means a place that is governed
by a different country.
Most people follow traditional religions. They believe that the dead join their ancestors, and that ancestors remain concerned about their living descendants. Less than half of the Malagasy are Christian. Many people follow both Christian religion and traditional beliefs.
Education is compulsory
for five years in Madagascar. Each area is in charge of its own
schools. In 2001, Madagascar had one of the highest literacy rates
in Africa. Most children go to primary school, and a growing number
attend secondary school. There is a university at Antananarivo.
A village school
Acknowledge
this source in your bibliography like this:
Madagascar
(2004).
[Online], Available: www.kidcyber.com.au
Updated January
2004