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Madagascar Peoples of the Tsaratamana Massif and the Southwest
https://photius.com/countries/madagascar/society/madagascar_society_peoples_of_the_tsara~282.html
Sources: The Library of Congress Country Studies; CIA World Factbook
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    The Antakarana, living on the Tsaratamana Massif and the northern tip of the island, make up 0.6 percent of the population. The topography of the region isolates them from the other Malagasy peoples. They are both cattle herders and tropical horticulturalists.

    The major peoples of the arid southwest region are the Mahafaly and the Antandroy, making up 1.6 and 5.4 percent of the population, respectively. The Mahafaly occupy a region between the Onilahy River to the north and the Menarandra River to the south, encompassing an area of some 45,000 square kilometers. The Antandroy territory lies to the east, a desert area full of cacti and thorn bushes. Its terrain makes their name, translated as "people of the thorns," especially apt. Both peoples depend upon the raising of cattle. Limited cultivation is also practiced. The Antandroy region is especially poor, causing workers to migrate to other parts of the island to make a living. Along with cattle, the prickly pear cactus is vital to the people's livelihood. Its spiny growths have served as a source of water and nourishment and as a means of defense against outside invaders.

    Data as of August 1994


    NOTE: The information regarding Madagascar on this page is re-published from The Library of Congress Country Studies and the CIA World Factbook. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Madagascar Peoples of the Tsaratamana Massif and the Southwest information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Madagascar Peoples of the Tsaratamana Massif and the Southwest should be addressed to the Library of Congress and the CIA.

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Revised 10-Nov-04
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