Almost 7 times the size of Austria, 18 times the size of Belgium and twice the size of Norway, and larger than France, Madagascar lies between the Indian Ocean and the Mozambique Channel. Discovered in the 1500s, the island has many traditions that form its culture. From superstitions to customs, this article looks at the rituals that have shaped the culture of the red island.
From eating habits to superstitions, we tell you everything!
What are the rituals? And what are the local superstitions? We list the island’s 8 classic ceremonial rituals.

1.Enter houses with the right foot first.

This is a very serious gesture, but don’t be mistaken for laughing, this simple gesture that we make every day, the first step in a room, has its importance in Madagascan culture. For this reason, it is important to enter the room with your right foot, the so-called “good foot”.
Historically, this superstition was widespread and democratised during the reign of kings. Superstition offers more favours from the gods to those who hold it. The ritual has been perpetuated from that time to the present day. The first step in the door by the right foot for a more favourable atmosphere is now an open secret in Madagascar. Malagasy culture has a deep respect for good manners when it comes to living in society. This ritual is observed by millions of Malagasy.

2.The wall of fire before entering his home.

Another story about a door, and another about footsteps. This ritual concerns the vigil of the dead, and is a more mournful rite. After the vigil of the dead in Madagascar, it is customary to erect a wall of fire and walk through it to prevent evil spirits from disturbing us.
The wall of fire is erected in front of the entrance to the home. Sometimes it is accompanied by religious incantations.

3.Don’t point your finger directly.

While it is common to use one’s hands to express oneself in Madagascar, it is rarer to see someone pointing a finger directly at a person or a place. For this reason, Malagasy culture prefers to avoid pointing with the fingertips as much as possible.
This tradition is more common in the countryside than in villages and roads.
If you’re going to Madagascar to travel, don’t worry, if you ask for directions you’ll still be shown the way with a hand gesture.

4.Don’t scratch your palm in public.

A less verbalised but equally well-known superstition, in Madagascar people do not scratch their palms in public, or even in private for some individuals. The gesture of scratching the palm of the hand is considered a bad omen. Scratching the palm of your hand brings misfortune to the people in the room where you are scratching, or misfortune to yourself. For this reason, you won’t often see this gesture performed in Madagascar.

5.Whistling or singing at night.

Whistling and singing express the joy of living, but in Madagascar it is rare to sing after dark. The reason for this is a tradition inherited from ancient times that prohibited singing and whistling at night. According to Malagasy beliefs, this could wake up the ancestors buried in the cemeteries or bring in the village witches attracted by our excessive joy.

6.Ignoring the warnings of the elderly.

Madagascar is known for being very serious about social life, as we mentioned earlier in this article. What people say in their backyards is respected; social weight has been important for many generations.
In line with this legacy from the past, the warnings of the elderly are not often ignored in Madagascar. They are generally associated with people whose words are rich in wisdom and rarely contradicted.
Very few people in Madagascar will contradict an elderly person they know with their forehead.

7.Don’t hit women.

More than a principle of chivalry, it is very rare to see a wife hit by her husband in Madagascar. Hitting one’s wife is a gesture that would bring bad luck to the person and is frowned upon by society, especially for women. It is frowned upon for a woman to be hurt by a man, as this would show her lack of maternal instinct.
For sadomasochists reading this article, you should know that you are less likely to have your fantasies fulfilled in faraway places like Madagascar. On the island, hitting women is taboo.

8.Don’t eat rice.

This is more of a joke on our part to end this list of Malagasy taboos. Nevertheless, it’s important to mention that eating rice in the Big Island is an important part of Madagascan culture. More than a food, it is a national sport. Not eating it would be unavoidable unless you were seriously ill, allergic or otherwise. Rice is eaten in the morning, at lunchtime and in the evening, so it’s up to the visitor to get to know this delicious dish.

So much for our list of taboos in Madagascar. If you want to visit the island, here’s our advice: explore.