About Madagascar > Religion

There have been so many migrations in Madagascar that it is difficult to talk about one religion - The vast majority of the people are catholic but there are also Anglicans, Hindus, and Muslims. The Malagasies show a deep respect for their ancestors and this dominates their religious faith.

There are numerous sacred places of worship like grottos, lakes where the spirits of the ancestors are invoked for advice, for forgiveness etc. and where offerings are made. The ancestors are like half-gods to the Malagasies as they embody the roots of life and during several days, they worship, pray and invoke their spirits together sharing glasses of rum, followed by the sacrifice of zebus.