Mahafaly woman

Mahafaly woman (Those-who-make-taboos) showing braided hairstyle typical of the area. Near Betioky, south-west coast of MADAGASCAR
The Mahafaly probably arrived to Madagascar around the 12th centurey from Africa and live in the sw desert areas around Ampanihy and Ejida. They are farmers, with maize, sorgho and sweet potoatoes as their main crops and cattle rearing occupies a secondary place. They kept their independence under their own chiefs until French occupation and still keep the bones of some of their old chiefs - this is the 'Jiny' cult. The villages usually have a sacrificial post, the 'hazo mango' on their east side where sacifices are made. Their large rectangular stone tombs which are decorated with wooden carvings 'aloalo' and the horns of all the zebu slain at the funereal are very eleborate.

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Filename: MA5675 Mahafaly woman.NEF
Copyright: Pete Oxford
Image Size: 2868x4312 / 19.6MB; Zebu Tombs Hazo mango Jiny Bones Sacrificial Tribal Chiefs Crops Ampanihy Desert African Betioky Braids Hairstyle Farmer Mahafaly woman Ethnic People Madagascar
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Mahafaly woman (Those-who-make-taboos) showing braided hairstyle typical of the area. Near Betioky, south-west coast of MADAGASCAR<br />
The Mahafaly probably arrived to Madagascar around the 12th centurey from Africa and live in the sw desert areas around Ampanihy and Ejida. They are farmers, with maize, sorgho and sweet potoatoes as their main crops and cattle rearing occupies a secondary place. They kept their independence under their own chiefs until French occupation and still keep the bones of some of their old chiefs - this is the 'Jiny' cult. The villages usually have a sacrificial post, the 'hazo mango' on their east side where sacifices are made. Their large rectangular stone tombs which are decorated with wooden carvings 'aloalo' and the horns of all the zebu slain at the funereal are very eleborate.