Culture Lesson: Madagascar

By: Destiny Carpitella, Shaelynn Guilfoyle &

MaryKate Wolf

ur !
n j o
Bo
lam a!
Sa
Objectives / (Tanjona):
Students will:
● Recognize the cultural
background of Madagascar
● Compare the Madagascan
culture (Malagasy) to that of the
United States culture
Opening Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjvlU_0wQu0
Activity 1:

After watching the opening video, students will

record two things that they found interesting
throughout the video in the first section of the
corresponding word document.
Introduction to ● Officially the Republic of
Madagascar: Madagascar
● Island country in the Indian Ocean
○ Fourth largest island
● Capital: Antananarivo
● President: Andry Rajoelina
● Population: 26.26 million people
● Religion: Indigenous beliefs (52%).
Religion Breakdown:
What is culture?
Culture can best be defined as an
“umbrella term” which encompasses
the social behavior and norms found in
human societies, as well as the
knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs,
capabilities, and habits of the
individuals in these groups.
https://youtu.be/LGZqw2GsIL4
Culture of Madagascar
 Culture of
Madagascar:
● Culture name: Malagasy
● The culture of Madagascar reflects
the origins of the people Malagasy
people in Southeast Asia and East
Africa.
● Madagascar has various cultures of
multi-ethnic populations.

Antananarivo
Ethnic Groups:
 ● Food: A traditional meal in
Culture Madagascar usually contains one

(continued): main dish of meat, poultry or fish

with a side dish of vegetables,
accompanied by a bowl of ro (a mix
of herbs, leaves and rice).
● Clothing: “Lamba” cloth or clothing
but usually refers to the two
matching pieces of fabric that
women wear, one around the chest
and one around the head and
shoulders.
Food:
Clothing:
 Activity 2:

The students will complete two Venn Diagrams (on the Foods
United States Madagascar
word document) independently that correspond to the
information that was discussed in the PowerPoint.
● One venn diagram the students will compare and
contrast the foods in Madagascar compared to the
United States.
Clothing
● The other venn diagram the students will compare United States Madagascar

and contrast the clothing in Madagascar compared

to the United States.
 Education System:
FREE EDUCATION : HOWEVER: there is still a considerable
degree of illiteracy
Primary Education:
● Lasts for five years
○ Ages six to eleven

Secondary Education:
● Lasts for seven years
○ Divided into two parts:
Junior secondary level of
four years
■ Ages twelve to fifteen
○ Senior secondary level of
three years:
■ Ages sixteen to
eighteen.
Language(s) Spoken:

Malagasy French

Hello: Salama Hello: Bonjour

How are you? : Manao Ahoana Ianao? How are you? : Comment vas-tu?
Goodbye: Veloma Goodbye: Au revoir
Activity 3:

The students will complete two Venn Diagrams (on

the word document) independently that correspond
to the information that was discussed in the
PowerPoint.
Education System
United States Madagascar
● In the venn diagram, the students will compare
and contrast the EDUCATION SYSTEM in
Madagascar compared to the United States.
End of Class Assessment:

Write down TWO takeaways from this lesson!!

Remember, we learned about:

● Culture
● Food
● Clothing
● Languages
● Education System

See you next class!

 References:

Glick, P., & Sahn, D.E. (2006). The demand for primary schooling in Madagascar: Price, quality, and the choice between public and private
providers. Journal of Development Economics. Volume 79, Issue 1, February 2006, pp. 118-145.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2005.01.001. Retrieved from: The demand for primary schooling in Madagascar: Price, quality, and
the choice between public and private providers

Kent, R.K., Southall, A.W., et al. (2020). Madagascar. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. 9 September 2020. Retrieved from: Madagascar | Culture,
History, & People | Britannicawww.britannica.com › ... › Countries of the World

Lassibille, G., Tan, J-P., Jesse, C., Nguyen, T.V. (2010). Managing for Results in Primary Education in Madagascar: Evaluating the Impact of
Selected Workflow Interventions. The World Bank Economic Review, Volume 24, Issue 2, 6 August 2010, pp. 303–329,
https://doi.org/10.1093/wber/lhq009. Retrieved from: Managing for results in primary education in Madagascar: Evaluating the impact
of selected workflow interventions

Moulton, T. (2017). The culture of Madagascar - Greetings. YouTube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjvlU_0wQu0

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2007). Malagasy languages. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. 29 January 2007. Retrieved from:
Malagasy languages | Britannicawww.britannica.com › Geography & Travel › Languages

Unicef. (2003). Madagascar education. Retrieved from: https://www.unicef.org/madagascar/en/programme/education