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:
Deepest needs
Praise God for the rain we have had in Mandritsara! May the Tsimihety thank the God of the rain for His abundant provision.
With the rain comes malaria, and there is a shortage of malaria treatment at the moment. Please pray that each patient who comes in with malaria would be able to receive treatment, and that the people’s heart would be open to the God who heals them of their deepest needs.
Christmas carols
We are going to sing Christmas Carols on December 23rd to the patients at the Good News Hospital and share a simple gospel message and written story. Please pray that as the patients and their families hear this, that they would be overcome by God’s love, grace and mercy in sending His only Son to earth!
