TSIMIHETY CULTURE

                                  « Should Tsimihety people respect their culture »?

                In Madagascar there are many kinds of culture; it depends on the ethnicities in the different region of Madagascar. Tsimihety culture is one that I will discuss in this essay. Tsimihety are immigrants or the descendants of immigrants from Betsimisaraka villages of the east coast. One will always know that the person is Tsimihety based on how they speak. It is impossible to specify which behavior in this culture has been inherited from Betsimisaraka, because there is a constant imitation which is going to breed a local version of culture. That’s the reason why the Tsimihety culture is not the same in different areas. However, it is very important to mention that in spite of this diversity of behaviors, Tsimihety people are always respecting other cultures. In general, Tsimihety people always seem to be trying to find an easy way to see life. Because they want to enjoy their life, and even to take it as blessed thing that God has given to which people wish to never change a thing about it. Tsimihety is one ethnic group that is respects their culture.

               In terms of power distance, the Tsimihety culture is long distance if it’s compared to another region.  For example, the power distance which exists in Sofia region is different from Diana region. In Tsimihety region, people are more respectful about the power. But here in Diana region, a part from the King or Queen, the peoples are almost the same level. As I am student at the university, I have learned and analyzed these values by just taking a time to observe especially to feel how sweet is to be a Tsimihety. In many cases, I knew most of this culture from school when I was in the secondary school till nowadays. Our family also teaches us in many different kinds of culture which exist in Madagascar.

                 As we know, Malagasy people respect “Fihavanana”. In Tsimihety tribe, they also respect it very much. This Fihavanana is the way of living. It is a good way because it conducts Malagasy people to be collectivist until nowadays. I take for example; about “circumcision is one of an interesting Malagasy tradition which exists in some parts of Madagascar”. When a little boy is to be circumcised, in Tsimihety culture, all close relatives and friends should be came to joins it. In that case, they should offer different kinds of gift, like chocolates, money, cookie and lots of candy. Even the boy’s parents do not give them some invitation but they have to joy and celebrate it together.

                    Another reason why Tsimihety people respect their culture is the concept of “Fady” or “taboo”. For Malagasy people in general, the concept of Fady is very important in people’s daily lives. For example, it is taboo for our relatives to eat pork and eel. In addition for that, when a man and woman from different ethnic groups marry with our family, they must follows all of our taboo.  According to my understanding, some taboos apply to daily life and also some of them are observed just during special period of time such as pregnancy. For pregnancy women, it is taboo to sit in the doorway of a house and it may blocking baby when the mother getting a birth.

                As a conclusion, integrated skills has opened up my mind to think about what exactly my identity. Also as I’m Malagasy, I want to know more about my culture. And then if I knew very much about it, I will share it with people, especially the foreigners who visit Madagascar. I finally start to recognize that my culture is my fortune. What I want to show is just I don’t have right to let it down from anyone else culture. I understand that each culture has its own value and there is no wrong culture.

The Sahamaza National Park

                    My name is VELONJARA Desire Houssen; I am student t the department of Anglo-American. I will talk about Sahamalaza National Park, which is located in the Sofia Region. As I am from in this region, I have chosen Sahamalaza National Park because I think that the existence of this protected area may develop people living in this region, economically, financially and culturally. My work is divided in three parts: First, I will describe the general information and geographical setting. Then I will explain the major tourist attractions for this National Park. Finally, I will talk about my objectives in this Park. The first among these points is where exactly this park located and why it is attracting more visitors.

              There are many reasons for choosing this protected area. One that is most important of my objectives, to show to Malagasy people that, this Park has certain values, which are different from the other National Parks. As we know, a National Park is an area used exclusively for the development, protection and conservation of vegetation, wild animals and population. Sahamalaza National Park was inaugurated in July 2007. It is one of Madagascar better-known park due to the discovery of the blue-eyed black lemur. It has also a big touristic potential since it is inaugurated. The best time of the year to visit Sahamalaza is probably September to November after the cold, dry winter but before the hot rainy season. Because the cyclone season is often start on February to March, when the climate is at its rainiest. At that time, many animals are least active during the coldest months like June to August.

           Most tourists will come to Madagascar are attracted by seeing different lemur species. The reason why the majority of tourists travelling to Madagascar are attracted by what is most advertised and by places where comfortable facilities are easy to find. Therefore, the local populations should give enough information about the consequences of the deforestation. Much of the tourism in Sahamalaza has developed around its different kinds of lemurs and these are continuing to be the biggest attraction for tourists.

            There are many benefits, which have resulted in Sofia Region during the existence of this National Park. As far as the rice is concerned, it is the main thing, which is cultivated. In cultivating rice, the agriculture practice is too cute and burn forested areas. As a result, there are many bad effects for our environment because it may end of uncontrolled fire. As I am from in this region, I have many objectives to promote this National Park. The priority is to encourage the local population to stop deforestation and especially the practice of “slash and burn” agriculture. In addition, the village chiefs and teachers were motivated to encourage a change of attitude, focusing on diminishing lemur hunting.

                    In conclusion, as the main objective of my works is to promotes Sahamalaza-îles Radama national park as tourists’ attraction. This protected area is very rich in biodiversity of fauna, flora, and a kind of lemurs which is cannot find somewhere else. However, it is also a marine park with more than 150 species of fish and others marine species (that is the reason to make local people depend on natural resources). Finally, we would like to suggest few proposals suggestion at strengthening the assets of the area in order to promote the Sahamalaza as tourists’ attraction. How the situation can be improved, what new tourist attraction could be created?