Back ماهافالي Arabic Махафалі Byelorussian Mahafaly Catalan Mahafaly German Mahafaly Spanish Mahafaly French Mahafaly Croatian Mahafaly ID Mahafaly Italian Mahafaly Malagasy
 Mahafaly children | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| c. 150,000 (2013) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Madagascar | |
| Languages | |
| Malagasy | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity and traditional religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Other Malagasy groups; Bantu peoples, Austronesian peoples |
The Mahafaly are an ethnic group of Madagascar that inhabit the plains of the Betioky-Ampanihy area. Their name means either "those who make holy"[1] or "those who make happy", although the former is considered more likely by linguists. In 2013 there were an estimated 150,000 Mahafaly in Madagascar.[2] The Mahafaly are believed to have arrived in Madagascar from southeastern Africa around the 12th century. They became known for the large tombs they build to honor dead chiefs and kings. Mainly involved in farming and cattle raising, they speak a dialect of the Malagasy language, which is a branch of the Malayo-Polynesian language group.
- ^ Ogot 1992, p. 867.
- ^ Diagram Group 2013.