Homes of Madagascar

Homes of Madagascar

Homes in coastal regions are often built on a raised platform in areas with high rainfall and on the ground in drier areas. These homes tend to be much smaller with one or two rooms and are made of bamboo-like materials. The type of materials used signifies a past or present economic status. In most cases, manmade materials such as corrugated metal or cement are more desirable than natural materials as they last longer and signify greater prestige.

The situational aspect of homes and important buildings are considered very important. The most desirable direction for the primary roof line is north-south.

Homes, cattle pens, family tombs, and the village are aligned in relation to this orientation. 

Interior furnishings of homes arranged in a traditional fashion in keeping with the Malagasy cosmological conception of the world being square and horizontal. For example, the bed was located in the northeast, the greeting place for guests in the northwest corner, and the cooking hearth in the middle of the western side of the house. Although some people still follow traditional customs of the placement of objects, the practice is in decline. Those in coastal regions that can afford to buy furniture tend to acquire a bed frame or sofa and wooden table. A single room serves multiple functions.

The frame

Erecting the roof, made of ravanela leaves.  These are completely water proof.  The rain here is massive, and the ravanela leaves keeps the home dry

A typical finished home.  This costs approximately 80,000 airey airey, which is equivilant to $40.00 canadian dollars.

A slightly different style of home

The countryside in this region (Tana, the capital) has homes enclosed by ancient mud walls and newly constructed brick walls.
Typical house in Tana  The style of homes built on the high plateau differs markedly from homes found elsewhere due to a heavy reliance on local materials. Homes on the high plateau tend to be multistoried and are constructed of mud bricks that are plastered with a hard drying mud coat that is then painted. Verandas are often made of elaborate scrolled woodwork

Home owners fencing off their properties just outside our compound

Homes of all shapes and sizes

Homes built where ever there is land.  These homes are built just outside the plantsite (which you can see in the background)