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 Betsileo children | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| c. 4.359 million | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Madagascar | |
| Languages | |
| Malagasy andFrench | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Austronesian peoples,Bantu people,Merina, otherMalagasy people |
TheBetsileo are a highlandethnic group of Madagascar, the third largest in terms of population. They chose their name, meaning "The Many Invincible Ones", after a failed invasion by King Ramitraho of theMenabe kingdom in the early 19th century.[1][2]
The Betsileo occupy the south of theMadagascarplateau. Their traditional territory extends from the north of theMania River in the north to the foot of theAndringitra Massif in the south; to the west by theBongolava chain and the east by the Eastern Forest, occupied by theTanala tribe. Most of the Betsileo region lies within the boundaries of the Malagasy province ofFianarantsoa, where their capital city of the same name can be found.
Traditionally their territory and their people are divided into three major parts. The Northern Betsileo (or Fisakana) is defined by the Ivato and Manandona rivers in the north and the Sahanivotry and Mania rivers to the south. The Central Betsileo (or Manandriana) is found between the Ivato and the Matsiatra rivers. The Southern Betsileo is all the Betsileo territory to the south of the Matsiatra river (the Isandra, Lalangina, Iarindrano andAndringitra).
The different Betsileo kingdoms (Fandriana, Fisakana, Manandriana, Isandra, etc.) existed independently of each other with oral traditions dating back to the 17th century. They were all eventually conquered and reorganized byRadama I. A large portion of the Betsileo people were made into slaves and traded domestically or sold to European slave traders.Radama I madeFianarantsoa the administrative capital of the central and southern Betsileo people. The north was attached toAntsirabe. Thus the Betsileo as a group began in the 19th century as an administrative subdivision by the Malagasy government.[3]
The Betsileo identity is closely associated with the Merina culture, since they are both highland-dwelling groups. The Betsileo social structure is determined by a very complex system ofkinship. There is a close connection between family members permeating society to the level of administrative roles and jobs, as most Betsileo are obligated to join their relatives in the family occupation. There is also considerable emphasis on the role of elders as community leaders. Community elders often hold more authority than those in formal government positions.
Betsileo society is influenced by a long history of slavery before its abolition during theFrench colonization. The Betsileo have a complex system of social organization determined through a number of stratifications. The status structure of the Betsileo is principally determined by the ancestry of an individual’s family. Status was historically split betweenandriana (nobles),hova (free commoners) andandevo (slaves), the latter being a highly stigmatized term for the lowest social class in contemporary Betsileo society.
Since the arrival of European missionaries in the nineteenth century, much of the Malagasy population has since been converted toChristianity. About 94% of Betsileo are Christians.[4] Most Betsileo are eitherProtestant orCatholic, but much of their ancestral traditions and religious tenets are still observed, often alongside or in concert with Christian practices. Pre-Christian Betsileo beliefs recognized a supernatural realm of ancestral spirits, ghosts, and nature spirits similar toanimism practiced in other parts of the world. A creator deity named Zanahary was also recognized, and is still invoked for ceremonial purposes. The competing influences of Europeanmonotheism and native religion in Madagascar resulted in a unique system of religious customs in which Christian practices and traditional tenets were combined in ceremonies and belief.
One of the most significant Betsileo ceremonies that still takes place is thefamadihana, or “turning of the bones,” during which the remains of Bestileo ancestors are taken out of their tombs and wrapped in new linens and celebrated.[5] Similar religious ceremonials can also be found inToraja,South Sulawesi andDayaks inKalimantan and also in various other places inIndonesia.
The Betsileo are, like the majority of Madagascar's population, largely a mix of Bantu African and Austronesian descent, although some sources claim that the Betsileo are primarily of Austronesian descent. However, their appearance resembles closer to Bantu populations than Austronesian. Traditionally they claim a common heritage with theAntemoro from the east coast and theBara from further south. They traditionally lived in huts made of vegetable fiber, reserving wooden huts for the nobles, perMalagasy architectural norms. Both were often adorned with decorative motifs or even the horns ofzebu. Nowadays mud and brick houses are more common.
The Betsileo region ofFianarantsoa is characterized by hills and valleys withrice paddies carved into the sides of them in elaborate terracing systems, in a style reminiscent of those in Southeast Asia. TheBetsileo diet almost invariably consists of rice accompanied with livestock such as beef, chicken, or duck and secondary crops like cassava, beans and other farm vegetables. Cattle raising is also important, though not as significant as in neighboring groups like the Bara. The people are excellent woodcarvers and are known for their large wooden sculptures.
Despite the prevalence of Christianity, the role of diviners, astrologists andwitch doctors in Betsileo society is also still significant. Witch doctors are believed to be able to manipulate magic as well as converse with ancestors, and can be consulted for reasons ranging from health issues to poisoning. Astrologists and diviners are consulted to set dates for ceremonies or read people’s futures.
The Betsileo speak a dialect of theMalagasy language, which is a branch of theMalayo-Polynesian language group derived from theBarito languages, spoken in southernBorneo.
The Betsileo are known for theiragricultural background and prowess as farmers. Their economic mainstay is rice cultivation, which is a staple food inMadagascar. The size and yield of a family’s rice plot often demarcates the wealth of that family.
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