The Sahafatra, also known as Safatra, are an
ethnic group of Madagascar inhabiting the mountainous part of
Atsimo Atsinanana
Atsimo-Atsinanana (South East) is a Regions of Madagascar, region in Madagascar. Its capital is Farafangana. The region used to be part of the Fianarantsoa Province.
The region extends along the southern part of the east coast of Madagascar. It is ...
region.
Location
The Sahafatra are found mostly in the district of
Vondrozo south of
Farafangana
Farafangana is a city (commune urbaine) on the south-east coast of Madagascar and capital of the Atsimo-Atsinanana region.
Location
Farafangana is the capital of the region Atsimo-Atsinanana located approximately 400 kilometres south of the c ...
.
Recognition
The Sahafatra like the
Masikoro
The Masikoro are a group of farmers and herders who inhabit areas surrounding the Mikea Forest, a patch of mixed spiny forest and dry deciduous forest along the coast of southwestern Madagascar in Toliara Province. Along with Vezo and Mikea, th ...
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
The Tanala or Antagnala are a Malagasy ethnic group that inhabit a forested inland region of south-east Madagascar near Manakara. Their name means "people of the forest." Tanala people identify with one of two sub-groups: the southern Ikongo gro ...
,
Antesaka
The Antesaka, also known as Tesaka, or Tesaki, are an ethnic group of Madagascar traditionally concentrated south of Farafangana along the south-eastern coast. They have since spread more widely throughout the island. The Antesaka form about 5% ...
or
Bara.
History
A letter from De Faye in 1668 mentioned the Sahafatra in a conflict between them and the
Antesaka
The Antesaka, also known as Tesaka, or Tesaki, are an ethnic group of Madagascar traditionally concentrated south of Farafangana along the south-eastern coast. They have since spread more widely throughout the island. The Antesaka form about 5% ...
.
Sahafatra was one of the malagasy tribes independent from
Hova rule
[Deschamps, Hubert. ''Histoire de Madagascar...'' (4e éd. revue et complétée). Paris: Berger-Levrault, p. 201, 1972.]
They took part in the
1904-1905 revolt against French colonists.
References
{{Ethnic groups of Madagascar
Ethnic groups in Madagascar