Madagascar was isolated 160 million years from the Gondwana and has very rich cultural traditions.

1- Some habits and customs

- Famadihana

For the Malagasy people the ancestors are the guards of their descendants, thus they are respected and honoured. This is one of the  significances of the Famadihana, still called ATI-DAMBA, during which ancestor bodies are exhumed. This ceremony is also an occasion of reconciliation and reinforcement of the Fihavanana (family bonds). The HIRA GASY, a Malagasy traditional music, is an integrated part of the feast.
 

- Fitampoha

Every five years, in August, some regions celebrate the Fitampoha which means 'the bath of the royal relics' and where one makes allegiance to the local king, asking for the blessing of God and the ancestors. The feast lasts one week with songs and dances and with the bath of the royal relics. Thousands of people are mobilized at the time of the feast.

- Sambatra

In the Malagasy tradition when a boy reaches the adulthood circumcision is an essential act. The Sambatra, or collective circumcision, is celebrated every seven years during the dry season (between August and September) by the people of the South-East of Madagascar. During this feast, which lasts one month, the Mananjary town is filled with great festivities and songs. Many tourists are attracted by this feast.

- Santabary

The Santabary is held at the time of the first rice harvest. This feast is an occasion to reinforce the family bonds, to show the respect for the grandfathers, bringing them the first fruits of the rice harvest. This ancestral custom has evolved from a previously showing of respect to the king.

- Fady

The fady, which means taboo, is one of the marks of respect towards ancestors by the Malagasy people. These fady, imposed by the ancestors, are diversified according to the regions and must be respected by their descendants according to the traditional belief.

2- Oral traditions

For the Malagasy people the way to teach moral values is through oral traditions.

The Kabary, or the art of the speech, is one of the facets of this transmission. It is pronounced at the time of ceremonies (marriage, funeral, .....) and is ornamented by puns: Ohabolana (Malagasy proverbs) and Haiteny which reflects the Malagasy wisdom.

The Angano (tales), held by the grandfathers, perpetuate the Malagasy legends and have very instructive value.

3- Music

The Malagasy folklore is often performed in song. The music is very diversified according to the regions and the traditional songs have a moralistic and educational value, mixing music and dance.

Each Malagasy region has it own musical rhythm. In the North and the West one balances oneself to the "Jijy" tempo. In the East the "Basesa" dominates. In the Center-South of the Central Highlands the Betsileo music is based on the "Rija", on the other parts of the Central Highlands the "Vakisaova" is predominant. Finally the South is characterized by the fast tempo of the "Beko".

Among the traditional instruments one finds the "Valiha", which is a stringed instrument. The "Sodina", a wind instrument, contributed to the knowledge of Madagascar through the world. The "Kabosy" is also a very popular stringed instrument.

4- Clothing