Prior to the French conquest of Madagascar in 1895, the Tanala people were in two basic groups. The Merina tribe dominated one, and the others were under the control of independent fiefdoms. They are still in these two basic categories. The Tanala Menabe live in the northern mountainous region and the Tanala Ikongo are in the south.
We have always known them as forest dwellers. The Tanala know how to produce excellent products from wood to sell to outsiders. They find valuable things in the forest to sell: beeswax, honey, etc. When they farm, they practice the inefficient slash-and-burn method. Their staple food is rice, but they also grow sweet potatoes, corn and coffee.
The Tanala family is patrilineal, meaning that the line of descent is through the father. They build their homes on stilts for better security and protection from water.
The Tanala people are animists who venerate spirits they believe have control over them. They believe there are spirits all around us. Islam has not reached them, nor have many gospel workers. There is a Christian minority among them, but not enough for them to have a movement to Christ.
The Tanala people need to learn modern farming techniques so they can get a bigger harvest each year. There are thousands of Christian believers in Africa who can help train them in this area.
Pray for the Tanala elders to decide that Jesus offers the way and the truth to their people.
Pray for a movement to Christ this decade among the Tanala people.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out his ambassadors to go to the Tanala people.
Scripture Prayers for the Tanala in Madagascar.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Tanala |
People Name in Country | Tanala |
Population this Country | 1,482,000 |
Population all Countries | 1,482,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 2 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
Alternate Names | |
People ID | 15245 |
ROP3 Code | 109805 |
Country | Madagascar | ||
Region | Africa, East and Southern | ||
Continent | Africa | ||
10/40 Window | No | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||
Location in Country | Central area. 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 | Central area.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 1.04 %) |
22.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
70.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
8.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Malagasy, Merina (1,482,000 speakers) |
Language Code | plt Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Tanala |
Dialect Code | 13401 Global Recordings Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Malagasy, Merina (1,482,000 speakers) |
Language Code | plt Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Tanala |
Dialect Code | 13401 Global Recordings Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Malagasy, Merina |
Primary Language: Malagasy, Merina
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1828-1987) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1830-1990) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1835-2011) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Lon&Queta - Flickr Creative Commons |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Read more |