Madagascar: The Merina ethnic group, including the history of its political organization, the difference between members of the Merina ethnic group and Malagasy; relations between them and African people and the attitude of government towards them
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 16 June 2000 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MDG34585.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Madagascar: The Merina ethnic group, including the history of its political organization, the difference between members of the Merina ethnic group and Malagasy; relations between them and African people and the attitude of government towards them , 16 June 2000, MDG34585.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad6650.html [accessed 3 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The term "Malagasy" refers to both the official language spoken in Madagascar (Anne Pitsh Sept. 1999; EIU ViewsWire 20 Aug. 1999; Quest Economics Database July 1999; Encyclopaedia of the Third World 1992; Europe 1999 1999, 2277) and to the name of the people of Madagascar (EIU ViewsWire 20 Aug. 1999; Encyclopaedia of the Third World 1992, 1159). As stated in the Encyclopaedia of the Third World, "Malagasy properly denotes, as a noun form, only the people of Madagascar and their language" (1992, 1159).
Merina are one the 18 ethnic groups of Madagscar (Encyclopaedia of the Third World 1992, 1162; Pitsh Sept. 1999). Of Indonesian origin, members of Merina make up about 26 per cent of the total population and, with the people of African origin, constitute one of the two main ethnic groups in the country (Pitsh Sept. 1999; EIU ViewsWire 20 Aug. 1999). They are found in the central highlands (Pitsh Sept. 1999; EIU ViewsWire 20 Aug. 1999).
Current information on the relation between members of the Merina ethnic group and people of African origin and the attitude of the government toward them could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, assessing the risk for members of the Merina tribe in Madagascar, Anne Pitsch indicates that:
The elites of the Merina community have maintained their position throughout the various political regimes since independence. They seem to know when to switch allegiance from the government to the opposition in order to maintain their elite status. They are disliked by some coastal groups who see them as arrogant. With the imposition of economic reforms, the Merina could lose their status as economic elites. Coastal peoples continue to fear political domination by the Merina and the current president probably avoided supporting a Merina Prime Minister for this reason. Though there is no evidence of violence targeted at the Merina at this time, they continue to be at risk because of their historical position in the country as advantaged elites (Sept. 1999).
For information on the history of the Merina, their relations with other ethnic groups, and their political influence in Madagascar, please see attachment from the Minorities at Risk Project Website.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Pitsch, Anne. September 1999. "The Merina of Madagascar." Minorities at Risk.
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) ViewsWire. 20 August 1999. "Madagascar Economy: Population Trends." (NEXIS).
The Encyclopaedia of the Third World. 1992. 4th ed. Vol. 1. Edited by George Thomas Kurian. New York: Facts on File.
The Europa World Year Book 1999. 1999. Vol. II. London: Europa Publications Ltd.
The Quest Economics Database. July 1999. "Madagascar: Country Profile." (NEXIS).
Pitsch, Anne. September 1999. "The Merina of Madagascar." Minorities at Risk.
Additional Sources Consulted
Africa Confidential January-Mai 2000.
La lettre de la FIDH 1999-Mai 2000.
The Indian Ocean Newsletter January-Mai 2000.
Resource Centre Country Files: Madagascar.
Internet sources, including:
Amnesty International Online.
Country Reports.
Fédération Internationale des droits de l'homme (FIDH).
Human Rights Watch (HRW) Online.
Minorities at Risk Project.
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN).
World News Connection (WNC)
