A Brief Overview of Madagascar

A Hemorrhage Ensconced

For centuries, the romanticism of exploring the so called "Dark Continent" of Africa entranced the minds of daring discoverers and enterprising expeditioneers worldwide. Her vast geographical expanse left the door open to endless possibilities. It seems to stand out because of its immense size and intimidating serendipity. But to her east ensconced between the Mozambique Channel and the Indian Ocean there bleeds an equally intriguing land. There, across the channel, lies a canvas of natural beauty scathed only by the agricultural methods of the inhabitants. Sequestered within this island's borders are species of flora and fauna of which most of the outside world is incognizant. This is the Great Red Island-the fourth largest island in the world-this is Madagascar.

Though Madagascar could easily appear to be the missing piece of a continental African jigsaw puzzle, both her people and her culture are uniquely her own. The Malagasy people are a fusion of "African slaves, Arab, Indian and Portuguese traders, European pirates and French colonists[1]." Together they comprise the eighteen tribes and up to thirty nine recognized ethnic groups representing the island.

Historical records and research date the history of the Malagasy people possibly as far back as the first century A.D. Contact with the western world was initiated by Portugal. After that the island was continually ravaged by slave traders and greedy pirates seeking to use Madagascar as their base. The island was officially recognized as an independent state by the British in 1820, but in 1895 the French initiated by military force their oppressive regime on the Malagasy. With ostensibly good intentions, the French wanted to uproot anything that did not reflect the French culture. This affected everything from language to religion; however, the Malagasy were not quite so elated about the attempted changes, and they were able to retain many of their original customs. Almost inevitably, Britain entered Madagascar during World War II, spurring the Malagasy people towards a greater desire for freedom. When the Rebellion of 1947 occurred, it served to set the stage for "the Liberation of Madagascar and the break-up of the French Colonial empire.[2]"

Finally, in 1960, Madagascar was granted independence from France. What seemed like liberation from governmental oppression was additionally liberation from the needed organizational and economical aspects that were contributed by the French government. Much of what France left behind is still evident in the Malagasy government today. Though Malagasy is one of the official languages, the equally official French language serves as another reminder of the French era.

Madagascar would appear to be an exemplary model of a third world country. It's economy is poor, it's food sources are minimal, and it's growth toward a technological is slow.

Madagascar is a subsistence agriculture society. Only a little over 5% of the land is considered arable land. With the majority of the people attempting to use this small portion of land to eke out their subsistence, it is no wonder that the land area has been devastated by soil attrition. Though agriculturally speaking, the land is poor, the bio-diversity found on Madagascar is unique to this land alone. This has helped to build the tourist industry and give the island more recognition.

The use of slash-and-burn techniques has rapidly diminished the availability and amount of arable land. Because of the extreme soil erosion, much of this soil is washed into the sea around the coastal areas. National Geographic reports that "from space, astronauts could see Madagascar's red earth bleeding into the sea.[3]" It is for this reason that Madagascar has often been called the Great Red Island.

Tragically, Madagascar is bleeding more that just the dirt that is rapidly eroding from her shores. Madagascar suffers from internal bleeding. She is hemorrhaging from within. Madagascar is bleeding to death spiritually, and there is no one who knows what to do. Books titled "Where There is No Doctor," or "Where There is No Dentist" would be highly pertinent in such an impoverished land as Madagascar. Yet "Where There is No Hope," would more adequately describe Madagascar as it is: a land of deep spiritual poverty. For many, there is no hope because they have not heard. And "how shall they hear without a preacher?"

The people today represent a mixture of their ancestors of the past and the government's goals for the future. They are a people hesitant to accept change, and deeply steeped in rituals of the past. Of the 17,501,871 people inhabiting the 587, 040 square kilometers, current figures estimate that 52% of the people follow indigenous beliefs, 41% would be considered "Christian," and 7% would be considered Muslim in their religious practices.

Though over half of the people are classified as following indigenous beliefs, the people that hold to traditional beliefs would probably be considered much higher, as many attempt to unite "Christian and indigenous beliefs." To the Malagasy, "there is no separation of the sacred and the secular[4]." This is why it is so easy for them to mingle truth with error when looking to Christianity. Additionally, this is the case because very few will part with their ancestral rites and traditions for fear of contravening a taboo, or fady. The fear of breaking the fady dominates the mindset of a deeply animistic Malagasy.

This vehement adherence to the fady carries over into the "cult of the dead", which is essentially ancestor worship. I can remember being told that many Malagasy would spend a great majority of their income on their burial site and its decorations. The Malagasy are engrossed in the belief that "it is the dead who are the sole and inexhaustible source of all good things: life, happiness, peace, and, above all, fertility[5]." The zenith of the "cult of the dead" is the ceremony often referred to as the "turning of the bones." The ceremony takes place after a family member has been dead for a certain amount of time and it is time to "turn the bones." This is an event that is repeated every four to five years: when the traditional red cloth wrapping the bones has disintegrated. Not only does the ceremony involve opening the tomb and replacing the cloth, but the ceremony may extend for several days and include excessive alchohol consumption as well as singing and dancing to celebrate the bring about reunion with their ancestor(s). They believe that that by pleasing their ancestors they will gain their ancestor's favor on their crops, family, and fertility.

Those classified "Christian" can be divided almost equally into Catholic and Protestant segments. Those with the label of "Protestant Christians" consists of an umbrella over nominal Christians, Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, Pentacostals, and New Evangelicals.

Muslim beliefs continue to seep southward from the central source of Islam flowing from the Middle East. Madagascar, too, has been engulfed by the religion's captivating attractions.

These are the people of Madagascar: economically poor; agriculturally poor; spiritually poor.

Missionaries (or any foreigner) desiring to live and minister in Madagascar must take with them many practical skills if the desire to have an effective ministry within the Malagasy culture and amongst the people. Certainly, there are the general climate adjustment concerns to take into consideration, but there are also the highly practical skills in areas such as transportation, shopping, water acquisition, electricity and power sources, plumbing and sewage treatment, health and first aid which are just a few of the key skill areas needed for a missionary headed to Madagascar.

Because it is a third world country, much of the missionary's time will be used in adapting to the culture and the everyday needs of living that are so frequently taken for granted in modern industrial societies.

The road systems in Madagascar are adequate when taking direct routes from major locations. Many of the roads entering into the capital of Antananarivo are paved. But off the beaten track, it's a different story. Thus, it is essential that a missionary working any distance from the city have a working knowledge of automotive repair. Skills such as checking the oil, repairing engines, and changing tires, are crucial to the missionary endeavoring to minister in Madagascar. Air transportation is also available, and a missionary with flying skills may greatly the geographical extent of the ministry.

Another simple skill that is taken for granted is the shopping that the missionary will need to do. Regardless of whether or not refrigeration and storage methods are available, the missionary will, at one time or another, find it necessary to venture into the marketplace. Shopping will encompass procuring food, medicines, tools, and items necessary for everyday living. The missionary's ability to adequately discern price requests and to barter are both included in the purchasing skills needed in the Malagasy marketplaces.

Potable water is unavailable from direct water sources. Thus the missionary will need to know how to filter water, when potable water is needed, when non potable water may be used, and how other sources of drinking water may be obtained.

Electricity is limited in the city regions, often being rationed out according to a certain number of hours per area. Missionaries must learn to adjust to not having electricity and to finding alternated power sources. In the more rural regions, electricity may be sparse or nonexistent. Again, missionaries will need to learn to adapt, as well as take care of their own electrical problems. It would also be helpful to have a working knowledge of the use of generators and other alternate electrical power sources.

Much like the situation with electricity, the plumbing in city is sufficient, but the rural regions generally lack any quality of plumbing. Missionaries will need to think of sanitary ways to dispose of waste and ways to bring in water.

With few and pitiable medical facilities, it is important that the missionary knows the basics of first aid. It would also be good to have some sort of additional medical training.

Learning to live and adapt to the culture is crucial to the missionary's ministry and effectiveness. Each of the skills that have been described is necessary for life in Madagascar; yet it is equally important that the missionary has a plan to obtain these skills.

A knowledge of simple automotive skills may be obtained through classes or practiced observations of professional auto mechanics. There are many resources available in this field, but the best type of preparation is hands on experience.

Learning to shop with efficiency is skill obtained by practice; however, requesting suggestions from other missionaries and people who have had experience in similar countries will prove helpful. Gaining a respect with the people by learning their language, culture, and customs will also be helpful when interacting with those in the marketplace. The marketplace provides situations conducive for presenting the Gospel with shopkeepers and other customers. It is also important that the missionary seeks knowledge of mannerisms and practices that may be offensive to the nationals. This can be done by having a trustworthy national who will teach and inform the missionary.

Because water is essential to life, learning how to access and obtain potable water is highly important. The sagacious missionary should research water filtration while in a modern industrialized nation by talking with water filtration companies and especially by discussing this with former and current missionaries who have had experience in this area 220 volts / 50 cycles,[6] which is the common European standard. It is important that missionaries recognize this is different from the American standard and purchase and use appliances accordingly.

Professional plumbing is also a time-consuming endeavor, yet the missionary can learn the basic skills by taking classes on the subject or by learning from a trained professional.

Basic first aid and rescue skills may be obtained in the classroom setting. In addition to university and college courses, many hospitals and health facilities offer training. If a missionary will be working in the rural areas of Madagascar, it is advisable that an Emergency Medical Technician course be taken. This will allow the missionary to be more adequately trained to handle intense and more dangerous situations than first aid.

In the medical realm, it would also be good for the missionary to learn what medicines should be given and how to obtain such medicines. This may be done by taking a pharmaceutics class or simply by researching the various drugs. It is also advisable that the missionary discuss treatments with other missionaries who have served in similar regions. An understanding of parasitology may be obtained by taking a university or college course or by doing research in the area.

The missionary ought to be as prepared as possible for the field that he or she endeavors to go to. Understanding the people and culture is vital to the missionaries' ministry, and understanding and obtaining the skills necessary to properly minister are just as important. But only a heart that is wholly devoted to God will enable the missionary to be truly effective on the mission field. The heart of Madagascar is bleeding for need of the Gospel. The missionary who is passionate about sharing the Gospel that will satisfy the longing Malagasy peoples' hearts will not overlook the necessity of gaining knowledge of practical skills necessary for serving the Lord in Madagascar and will do everything in his or her power to learn and excel in those skills.

Works Consulted

Halverson, Alton C.O. Madagascar: Foorprint at the End of the World. Augsburg

Publishing House. Minneapolis, MI. 1973.

Hawley, Keren. (Personal experience from June-August of 1999.)

http://www.embassy.org/madagascar/volt.html.

Lonely Planet: Worldguide: Madagascar www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/africa/madagascar/printable.htm.

"Restoring Madagascar." National Geographic. February 1999.

Stratton, Arthur. The GreatRedIsland. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1964.

"The World Factbook" www.cia.gov/publications/factbook/geos/ma.html.

[1] Lonely Planet: Worldguide: Madagascar. www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/africa/madagascar/printable.htm

[2] Stratton, Arthur. The GreatRedIsland. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1964.

[3] "Restoring Madagascar." National Geographic, February 1999.

[4] Halverson, Alton C.O. Madagascar: Footprint at the End of the World. Augsburg Publishing House. Minneapolis, MI. 1973., page 17

[5]Ibid., page 20

[6] http://www.embassy.org/madagascar/volt.html.