- Betsileo
ethnic group
group=Betsileo
poptime= c. 1 million
popplace=Madagascar
rels=
langs=Malagasy
related=Merina , otherMalagasy people The Betsileo are a highland clan of
Madagascar , the third largest in terms of population, numbering around one million. Their name means "The Many Invincible Ones" which they chose for themselves after the failed invasion of Ramitraho King of theMenabe kingdom in the early 19th century.Territory
The Betsileo occupy the south of the
Madagascar plateau. Their traditional territory extends from the north of theMania River in the north to the foot of theAndringitra in the south; to the west by theBongolava chain and the east by the Eastern Forest, occupied by theTanala tribe.Traditionally their territory and their people are divided into three major parts. The Northern Betsileo (or Fisakana) is defined by the Ivato and Manandona rivers in the north and the Sahanivotry and Mania rivers to the south. The Central Betsileo (or Manandriana) is found between the Ivato and the Matsiatra rivers. The Southern Betsileo is all the Betsileo territory to the south of the Matsiatra river (the Isandra, Lalangina, Iarindrano and
Andringitra ).History and Culture
The different Betsileo kingdoms (Fandriana, Fisakana, Manandriana, Isandra, etc.) existed independently of each other with oral traditions dating back to the 17th century. They were all eventually conquered and reorganized by
Radama I who madeFianarantsoa the administrative capital of the central and southern Betsileo people. The north was attached toAntsirabe . Thus the Betsileo as a group began in the 19th century as an administrative subdivision by the Malagasy government [Covell: Madagascar, Politics, Economics and Society. London: Frances Pinter, 1987. Page 12.] .The Betsileo are of Malayo-Indonesian origin, whereas Madagascar's population is largely mixed of Bantu African and East Asian descent. Traditionally they claim a common heritage with the
Antemoro from the east coast and theBara from further south. They are primarilyagricultural , growingmanioc ,taro andsweet potato , as well asrice which they grow in irrigated hillside terraces. They also raise cattle.The Betsileo traditionally lived in huts made of vegetable fiber, reserving wooden huts for the nobles. Both were often adorned with decorative motifs or even bullhorns. Nowadays mud and brick are more common.
The people are excellent woodcarvers and are known for their large wooden sculptures.
External links
* [http://www.rhodes.edu/public/7_0-NewsEvents/7_3-Magazine/issues/2001_summer/placenotinheavens.shtml Research among the Betsileo]
* [http://www.tsaracamp-madagascar.com/people_of_tsaranoro.html People of Tsaranoro]References
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