SAKALAVA

Small clans of Malagasy people groups and numerous Bantu people groups occupied the grasslands of the western coast of Madagascar during the 16th and 17th centuries. It is very likely that these African people were absorbed into the Sakalava, explaining the African influence within the Sakalava culture. Marriages between white people and daughters of the local Malagasy chiefs resulted in the birth of the Sakalava people. They set up kingdoms based on the model of the empire of Monomotapa of Zimbabwe. Rulers of these kingdoms took over the leadership of the Sakalava and were also responsible for the rapid Sakalava expansion in the 17th century. During this time two allied sub-kingdoms were formed under the leadership of two brothers: the Biona kingdom to the north and the Menabe kingdom to the south. Nearly half of the island was either under direct Sakalava rule or divided into smaller states which were subject to the Sakalava in the 18th century. Although the Biona kingdom and part of the Menabe kingdom were conquered by the Merina at the start of the 19th century, the Sakalava chiefs continued to exercise considerable authority.

Tulear and Majunga became major ports for cattle and slave trading during the height of the Sakalava dynasty. The process of burial is believed to effect the transition of the dead from being human to becoming an ancestor which makes the Sakalava a typical Malagasy people group. The part of the body that decomposes is the unclean part while dry bones are sacred. Bodies are either kept or buried temporarily until the bones can be collected, washed, wrapped in shrouds, and placed in communal tombs. Annually, these bones are brought out, talked to, sometimes even danced with, and then returned to the tombs. Ancestral blessing is said to come upon one through the vehicle of spirit possession. Sakalava spirit mediums shroud themselves like corpses in order for royal ancestral spirits to speak out.

In the past, the Sakalava was a notorious warrior people. However, today they have become a semi-nomadic pastoral tribe who practices only a rudimentary form of agriculture. Rice is grown in the river beds. Having been considered a doomed race because of a low birthrate and a high disease rate, the Sakalava reversed this trend through the influence of other Malagasy peoples who settled in their region.

Vast grassy plains intersected by sedimentary river basins on the west coast of Madagascar stretching from Nosy Be to Tulear are where the Sakalava can be found. Their area covers two provinces: Tulear and Majinga. The Sakalava is a minority group within their own region. Neighbour relations are peaceful, yet only a few incidences of intermarriage occur."

• 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? 20% Believe Jesus is the Son of God

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 believer to every 5 persons (total believers - 153 400)(20%)

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 for 150 years.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

Poor infrastructure and bad road conditions.

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Literature: Gospel tracts and Bible portions
Radio: FEBA Radio broadcasts 3.5 hours per week in Malagasy
TWR broadcasts 1.75 hours per week in Malagasy

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

They are fairly resistant to religious change; however, other people groups have exercised some cultural influence over the Sakalava.

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

Yes, theological training is the greatest need. Many people follow a liberal theology accommodating astrology and other heathen practices."