Betsileo
The Betsileo are an important tribe in the southern central highlands of Madagascar in the area of Fianarantsoa , their capital, and Ambositra . With a share of around 13%, the Betsileo are the third largest population group in Madagascar. They are known for their rice cultivation in terraces that are found on the slopes of numerous mountains and are criss-crossed by masterful irrigation systems.
In the past, the houses of the simple Betsileo were made of twigs and branches, the higher-ups had houses made of wood, decorated with geometric wood carvings and cattle skulls. The graves of the Betsileo are decorated with symbolic carved wooden grave steles that can be up to 20 m high. Like the Merina , they practice the custom of turning the dead around ( Famadihana ).
The Zafimaniry , a subgroup of the Betsileo, are known for their outstanding wood carving, which in 2003 was also included in UNESCO's list of masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of mankind .
Traditional wooden house of the Zafimaniry
Zafimaniry woman drying rice
Nineteenth century spoon
Unesco sign
