Antankarana in Madagascar

The Antankarana have only been reported in Madagascar
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Tankarana (literally 'people of the rocks') occupy the far northern part of Madagascar where they are geographically cut off from the southern regions of Madagascar by the Tsaratanana mountain range.
In spite of their geographic isolation, the Antakarana were conquered during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by the Sakalava, the Merina and the French. Some believe that the Antakarana language and ethnography would reflect the strong Sakalava influence in the area, but the Tankarana historically had closer bonds to the Betsimisaraka of the north.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They are mostly fishermen, although those in the interior raise cattle.


What Are Their Beliefs?

At the center of their group identity is the story of their survival in the nineteenth century when they were being exploited and pursued by the Merina. On one occasion, they have safely hidden in caves for more than a year before they were discovered. King Tsimiaro I made a prayer, vowing that if his people survived the Merina onslaught, the Tankarana would embrace Islam. This vow was honored and today the Muslim religion is evident there, strongly intermingling with traditional Malagasy customs. This syncretistic and mostly nominal practice of Islam has inspired concentrated effort on the part of zealous Muslims to teach and give the prescribed doctrinal content.


What Are Their Needs?

The Antankarana people need to put their identity and faith in the Lord of lords.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Antankarana people to experience and embrace the glory of Christ.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out loving and dedicated workers to them.
Pray for Antankarana disciples to make more disciples.


Scripture Prayers for the Antankarana in Madagascar.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Antankarana
People Name in Country Antankarana
Alternate Names Malagasy
Population this Country 221,000
Population all Countries 221,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 4
PeopleID3 10342
ROP3 Code 100378
Country Madagascar
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Diana and Sava regions; a small area in Sofia region.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Madagascar
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Diana and Sava regions; a small area in Sofia region..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.74 %)
5.00 %
Ethnic Religions
15.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
80.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Malagasy, Antankarana (221,000 speakers)
Language Code xmv   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Malagasy, Antankarana (221,000 speakers)
Language Code xmv   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Malagasy, Antankarana

Primary Language:  Malagasy, Antankarana

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2014)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Malagasy, Antankarana Jesus Film Project
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  International Mission Board-SBC - Andrew Berry  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Anonymous  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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