TANALA

The name ""Tanala"" can be translated as ""The people who live in the forest"". As their name suggests they live in the forest. Their region stretches from south of Fianarantsoa to the south west of Manakara on the east coast. Other tribes in the forest see the Tanala as a friendly people who are easy to get along with. This contributes to the high self-esteem the Tanala has.

Being an agricultural community they live off the land. Both male and female are expected to work in the fields once they've reached the age of 10. The produce are sold in the nearby villages. The Tanala rely on rain to meet their water needs as they derive their water supply from rivers and streams. Wood from the forest is used as a fuel source for cooking. Houses are built from grass, wood and mud.

The oldest man in the village is the leader of that particular village. All conflicts are brought to him and he presides as the judge. Serious offences are settled with cash payments while small matters are attended to verbally.

With the arrival of a new child in the family the mother is presented with gifts from the other villagers. The birth of the child is also celebrated through dance. As the children grow older the boys are circumsized while the girls have their ears pierced. When a man wants to get married he needs to kill an ox first. The couple are then sprinkled with the blood of that ox. If a man owned any oxen they are killed after his death. A big feast is then held in honour of the deceased. Each village has one tomb in the forest where all the dead are buried."

• 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? 2% Believe Jesus is the Son of God.

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 Believer to every 50 persons.
(total believers - 9 460)(2%)

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

Churches to population: 1 church for every ? persons

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

The Bible has been available in Malagasy for 150 years.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

Literacy Rate: 40%

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Radio: FEBA (Radio broadcasts 3.5 hours per week, TWR broadcasts 1.75 hours per week.)

Recordings: None
Literature: None
Video: None
Films: None

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

Yes, they have a deep hunger for the Word of God.

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

Yes, they need preachers, teachers, agricultural help and education."