The Zafimaniry people of Madagascar are facing a critical juncture, forced to reconcile their traditional forest-based way of life with the pressures of deforestation, and globalisation. Fewer than 15,000 members of this unique community live in the “land of mist” – a region on the southern edge of the country’s central highlands – where decades of extensive deforestation have dramatically altered the landscape.
Recognised by UNESCO in 2008 for their intricate woodcraft, considered intangible cultural heritage, the Zafimaniry are increasingly compelled to adapt to survive. For generations, the forests have been integral to their homes, beliefs, and daily existence. However, the rapid disappearance of this environment is fundamentally changing how they live and work.
The challenges facing the Zafimaniry were the focus of a public debate held last month in Antananarivo, organised by the French Institute of Madagascar, a cultural organisation dedicated to promoting dialogue and the arts. The discussion centred on the preservation of Zafimaniry identity in the face of increasing globalisation.
Johnny Andriamahefarivo, a magistrate and former justice minister who is himself a member of the Zafimaniry community, vividly recalls a childhood surrounded by the artistry of carved wood. “We are a people of the forest. We live from the forest, so you see wooden buildings everywhere,” he told RFI. “The door, the shutters, the windows, the chairs – everything is carved, and every carving has a particular meaning.” These carvings are not merely decorative; they embody the community’s spiritual beliefs, knowledge, and faith.
The pressures on the Zafimaniry are multifaceted. Deforestation is forcing a fundamental rethinking of traditional ways of life that were once entirely dependent on the surrounding woodland. “Even though we stayed deep in the bush, today that bush has been cleared by deforestation,” Andriamahefarivo explained. “We have to leave and try other ways of making a living.”
This adaptation is already underway. Photographer TangalaMamy, who has documented Zafimaniry culture for over a decade, notes the rapid changes brought about by increased connectivity. “Thirteen years ago, there was no mobile network – you had to climb a mountain to get a signal,” he said. “Now everyone has a smartphone, everyone has a satellite dish. It’s a normal transformation. The world is changing and they are adapting.”
Practical considerations are also influencing housing choices. “They are not going to live permanently in wooden huts when wood now requires travelling kilometres to find,” TangalaMamy added, highlighting the increasing difficulty of maintaining traditional building practices.
Despite these shifts, the core of Zafimaniry culture persists. TangalaMamy observes that even as housing evolves, fundamental customs remain. “Even in brick houses today, the ancestors’ corner is still there,” he said. “Offerings are made there. When a child is born, the name is only given after the umbilical cord falls off.” The community is also renowned for its unique system of hair braiding, a silent language with seventeen distinct styles, each carrying a specific meaning understood throughout the village.
However, the long-term survival of this heritage is uncertain. Some traditions are already fading, raising concerns about their transmission to future generations. Vanf, a Malagasy writer and newspaper columnist, has called for increased support from Madagascar’s culture ministry to safeguard this cultural identity. “We must safeguard part of this identity that is disappearing without us being able to pass its memory on to our children,” he stated.
Vanf proposes the creation of dedicated spaces for preserving and showcasing Zafimaniry traditions. “We should create a visible space – even a ‘marketing’ space, and it’s not a problem to use that word – where one or more traditional houses can be restored and set apart,” he suggested. “That way both Malagasy people and foreigners can help pass on this memory culture.”
The situation facing the Zafimaniry underscores a broader trend across Madagascar, where communities are grappling with the challenges of balancing cultural preservation with the demands of a changing world. The fate of this UNESCO-recognised heritage remains uncertain, dependent on a concerted effort to support adaptation while safeguarding the traditions that define the Zafimaniry people.
