ANTANKARANA

"A relatively small people group, the Antankarana lives on the extreme northern tip of Madagascar. The Sambirano river forms the southern boundary of their territory with Cap d' Ambre being the main town. Being a very rocky area, the Antankarana are sometimes referred to as ""People of the Rocks"". Other names by which they are also known are slight variations from the original: Tankarana and Takarana.

Malagasy is their mother tongue as they are a Malagasy people group. However, there are various dialects of this language. Antankarana is the dialect spoken by this people group. It is possible that other languages such as Betsimisaraka, Sakalava, and Arabic are also spoken by the Antankarana.

A group with mixed Sakalava, Tanala, and Arab ancestry, the Antankarana is a heterogeneous people group. Similar to the Betsimisaraka and Tanala, the Antankarana do not bury their dead by placing the coffin under the ground. Rather, the coffin is quite simply left on top of the ground.

As the Antankarana are mainly cattle farmers, only a few crops are grown on a small scale. These crops include maize, rice, and cassava. Many have also gone to work in factories and meat canneries in the nearby towns. Some have left their area to go and work on the plantations of the eastern coast.

In the quest for retaining their independence, a portion of the Antankarana settled on the north western coast during the Merina conquests. This portion became Muslim, yet retaining their traditional customs regarding family relations and burial ceremonies."

• Country: Madagascar
• Population (Year): 14.1 million (1995)
• Major Religion: Christian
• Percent Christian: 52.7%
• Percent Evangelical: 6.3%
• Openness to missionaries: Open"

1. HAVE THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL?

Who is Jesus Christ to them? 16% Believe Jesus is the Son of God

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 believer to every 6 persons (total believers - 14 080)(16%)

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

Churches to population: 1 church for every ? persons (total churches - ?)

4. DOES THIS PEOPLE HAVE THE WORD OF GOD TRANSLATED INTO THEIR MOTHER TONGUE?

Yes, the Malagasy Bible has been available since 1835.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

Yes. Even though the Bible Society has a distribution programme, lack of foreign exchange limits this programme. Other Malagasy Christian literature is also in short supply.

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Literature: Yes, but limited

Radio: FEBA Radio broadcasts 3.5 hours per week in Malagasy
Trans World Radio broadcasts 1.75 hours per week in Malagasy

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

Outreach to the Antankarana is limited, However, the Muslim community seems more resistant than the rest.

8. DO THEY REQUIRE OUTSIDE (CROSS-CULTURAL) ASSISTANCE?

Seeing that outreach to them is limited, the answer will most definitely be yes. They do need to have the gospel presented to them in a clear and understandable way."