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:
Seeking midwives
Praise the Lord for the new maternity building being officially opened at the Good News Hospital! Now we are seeking some more great midwives in order to fully staff the unit. Please pray that we would find the right midwives to employ, and for development of the midwifery team both spiritually, and in their midwifery practice so they can serve the families of Mandritsara with love and diligence.
Maternity unit
Praise God that we will be opening the new and expanded maternity unit at the Good News Hospital mid October. Please pray for the work to be finished well, and that God would raise up Tsimihety midwives to care for the women and babies in need.
