The Sahafatra, also known as Safatra, are an ethnic group of Madagascar inhabiting the mountainous part of Atsimo Atsinanana region.[2]
Location
The Sahafatra are found mostly in the district of Vondrozo.[3]
Recognition
The Sahafatra like the Masikoro, Mikea and the Vorimo aren’t included in the 18 officially recognized tribes of Madagascar despite being a full-fledged ethnic group. They are considered as part of Tanala, Antesaka or Bara.[4]
History
A letter from De Faye in 1668 mentioned the Sahafatra in a conflict between them and the Antesaka.[5]
Sahafatra was one of the malagasy tribes independent from Hova rule[6]
They took part in the 1904-1905 revolt against French colonists.
Bibliography
- Earth‑Shakers of Sahafatra: A Study of the People and Land of Sahafatra, Southeast Madagascar. CORE. PDF. Accessed 28 June 2025.
References
- ^ Joshua Project. “Sahafatra in Madagascar.” JoshuaProject.net. Accessed April 30, 2025. https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/14637/MA
- ^ Didot, Firmin. Encyclopédie moderne: Dictionnaire abrégé des sciences, des lettres, des arts, de l’industrie, de l’agriculture et du commerce, pp. 777–778. 1852.
- ^ Ravaonirina Mbola Morel, Pierrette (2017). La médecine traditionnelle à Madagascar. Antananarivo: Éditions Ambozontany. p. 36.
- ^ McLain, R.; Ranjatson, P.; Heidenrich, T.; Rakotonirina, J. M.; Nomenjanahary, A. R. F.; Razafimbelo, N. T. R. (2021). Analyse des textes juridiques et de la littérature sur les systèmes de tenure vivante à Madagascar. pp. 14–15.
- ^ Grandidier, Alfred. Histoire physique, naturelle et politique de Madagascar, vol. 4, tome premier, p. 194.
- ^ Deschamps, Hubert. Histoire de Madagascar… (4e éd. revue et complétée). Paris: Berger-Levrault, p. 201, 1972.