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.
They are mostly fishermen, although those in the interior raise cattle.
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.
The Antankarana people need to put their identity and faith in the Lord of lords.
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 |
Other PDF Profile |
Global Prayer Digest: 2017-01-29 |
Global Prayer Digest: 2018-01-14 |
People Name General | Antankarana |
People Name in Country | Antankarana |
Alternate Names | Malagasy |
Population this Country | 216,000 |
Population all Countries | 216,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 4 |
People ID | 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 (216,000 speakers) |
Language Code | xmv Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Malagasy, Antankarana (216,000 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 | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2023 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. |