The Tsimihety of Madagascar
Scripture: “All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvellous deeds; you alone are God.” (Psalm 86:9-10)
Population: 1,963,000 (according to Joshua Project website)
Location: The Tsimihety live in the mountainous North-Central area of Madagascar.
History: There are accounts of Tsimihety which date back to the 16th century. The current people are descendants of immigrants from Betsimisaraka villages of the East coast who fled Merina oppression in the early 19th century. Tension between the two peoples continue to the present day.
Culture: Their name means “those who do not cut their hair” which was a sign of refusal to recognize the monarch. They are considered extremely egalitarian, refusing to recognize authority.
Boys and young men tend the cows, and the rest of the family farm, mostly rice.
Religion: Many Tsimihety are animists. They have a vague belief in a supreme being who presides over the spirit world, which is inhabited by the spirits of their ancestors. Veneration of ancestral spirits through rituals, offerings and adhering to a strict system of taboos are believed to lead to blessing.
Latest Prayer Updates:
Gatherings and Camps
There will be big church gatherings and camps in Mandritsara this month. Please pray for the church to grow in strength and unity, especially considering the trials it has been going through with difficulties in leadership. Pray that the Tsimihety Christians would not be lead astray by false teachers.
People listened
Praise God for one of our local churches who shared the gospel door to door last Sunday. They said that people listened and were receptive to the Good News. Please pray that these seeds would be watered and flourish to maturity!
