The first people arrived on the island from Indonesia/Malaya about 2,000 years ago. Other populations arrived from Africa later.
Today Madagascar is made up of various tribes or clans and these are concentrated in specific areas of the country.
In the city of Antsirabe a monument is dedicated to the tribes of Madagascar. The city was founded by Norwegian missionaries in 1872 and is the agricultural and industrial centre.
The Asian origins of the inhabitants of Antsirabe and surrounds is reflected in the rickshaws or 'pousse-pousse' (push-push). A term coined by the French to describe the need to push rickshaws up steep hills when required ie when overweight Frenchmen insist on transport to unreasonable destinations.
Nearby, the crater lake of Lake Tritiva is located. Famous for its beauty, turquoise coloured water and mythology.
The Betsileo tribe populate the highland regions of the country. They have darker skin and frizzier hair than other tribes and show greater similarities with their Indonesian/Malay ancestors.
The Betsileo houses are typically two stories with simple windows/doors and mud render.
Notice the paddy fields, another similarity with Asia.
Zebu meat is very popular (the oxen on the right with the hump) and I have taken a fancy to Zebu kebabs.
The Betsileo children. As we travel south, extreme poverty becomes more apparent.
Every Tuesday the highland market is held and the locals walk for up to three hours to attend to sell their produce, be seen in the latest highly coloured dresses and find a life partner.
An O'shaughnessy chameleon and a partially obscured tree frog.
Three of our guides with Eloise and Ruth.
Mark and Amy.
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