Culture and entertainment

Madagascar’s Zafimaniry grapple with preserving a unique culture amid deforestation and globalization

Antananarivo, Madagascar – The Zafimaniry people, renowned for their intricate wood carvings and deeply rooted forest traditions, are facing an existential challenge as deforestation and the forces of globalization reshape their way of life in the remote highlands of Madagascar. Fewer than 15,000 members of this community remain, clinging to a heritage recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2008.

For generations, the Zafimaniry have lived in harmony with the forests of the “land of mist,” their homes, beliefs, and livelihoods inextricably linked to the surrounding woodland. But decades of heavy deforestation have stripped away much of that environment, forcing a reckoning with a rapidly changing world.

“We are a people of the forest. We live from the forest, so you see wooden buildings everywhere,” explained Johnny Andriamahefarivo, a Zafimaniry magistrate and former justice minister, in an interview with Radio France Internationale (RFI). “The door, the shutters, the windows, the chairs – everything is carved, and every carving has a particular meaning.” These carvings aren’t merely decorative; they express spiritual beliefs, knowledge, and the community’s collective faith.

The pressures are multifaceted. Deforestation, driven by agricultural expansion and illegal logging, is diminishing the very resource that sustains their traditional way of life. According to Global Forest Watch, Madagascar lost 287,000 hectares of natural forest between 2001 and 2023. This loss directly impacts the Zafimaniry, who are increasingly forced to seek alternative livelihoods.

“Even though we stayed deep in the bush, today that bush has been cleared by deforestation,” Andriamahefarivo said. “We have to leave and try other ways of making a living.”

The encroachment of modernity is also evident. Photographer TangalaMamy, who has documented Zafimaniry culture for over a decade, notes the dramatic shift in access to technology. “Thirteen years ago, there was no mobile network – you had to climb a mountain to get a signal,” he told RFI. “Now everyone has a smartphone, everyone has a satellite dish. It’s a normal transformation. The world is changing and they are adapting.”

This adaptation extends to housing. The scarcity of wood is prompting a shift away from traditional wooden homes. “They are not going to live permanently in wooden huts when wood now requires travelling kilometres to find,” TangalaMamy observed.

Despite these changes, the Zafimaniry are striving to preserve their cultural identity. Traditions endure, even within modern structures. TangalaMamy points to the continued practice of maintaining an “ancestors’ corner” in homes, where offerings are made and newborns are named only after the umbilical cord falls off. The community is also known for its complex system of hair braiding, a silent language with seventeen distinct styles, each carrying a specific meaning.

However, concerns are growing about the transmission of these traditions to future generations. Vanf, a Malagasy writer and newspaper columnist, urges the country’s culture ministry to support preservation efforts. “We must safeguard part of this identity that is disappearing without us being able to pass its memory on to our children,” he stated. He proposes creating dedicated spaces – perhaps restored traditional houses – to showcase and perpetuate Zafimaniry culture for both Malagasy citizens and tourists.

The situation highlights a broader challenge facing indigenous communities worldwide – balancing cultural preservation with the inevitability of change. The Zafimaniry’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of protecting intangible cultural heritage and supporting communities in their efforts to navigate a rapidly evolving world.

The French Institute of Madagascar recently hosted a public debate in Antananarivo exploring Zafimaniry identity in the face of globalization, underscoring the growing awareness of the challenges facing this unique community.

https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20260104-malagasy-youth-return-to-ancestral-rites-in-search-of-identity-madagascar

https://www.rfi.fr/en/culture/20250914-a-photographer-s-journey-into-malagasy-ancestral-rituals

This story is adapted from the original French version published by RFI, translated by Sarah Tétaud.