Demographics of Madagascar - Religion

Religion

Most people practise traditional religions, which tend to emphasize links between the living and the dead. They believe that the dead join their ancestors in the ranks of divinity and that ancestors are intensely concerned with the fate of their living descendants. This spiritual communion is celebrated by the Merina and Betsileo reburial practice of famadihana, or "turning over the dead." In this ritual, relatives' remains are removed from the family tomb, rewrapped in new silk shrouds, and returned to the tomb following festive ceremonies in their honor. In the festivities, they eat, drink, and literally dance with the dead. After one or two days of celebrating, they shower the body with gifts and re-bury it. They also use a specific type of beetle that comes from the larvae found in the bodies of their deceased relatives. Different ethnic groups collect these animals and use them for healing purposes. These beetles are beheaded, and the head is replaced by a small gem, which represents the cult of knowledge and wisdom.

About 41% of the Malagasy are Christian, divided almost evenly between Roman Catholic and Protestant, but there are also Orthodox Christians. Many incorporate the cult of the dead with their other religious beliefs and bless their dead at church before proceeding with the traditional burial rites. They also may invite a pastor to attend a famadihana. A historical rivalry exists between the predominantly Catholic masses, considered to be underprivileged, and the predominantly Protestant Merina aristocrats, who tend to prevail in the civil service, business, and professions.

Islam has been well-established in what is now known as Madagascar for centuries and today Muslims represent approximately 7 percent of the population.

See also: Christianity in Madagascar, Islam in Madagascar, Hinduism in Madagascar, and Bahá'í Faith in Madagascar.