Roberto Pazzi
Tanala People
A group of Tanala people gathered in the village hall hut (Madagascar).
HUMANKIND, my premium, limited-edition, museum-quality standard book featuring over 200 large-format photos is available here:
The Tanala are an ethnic group from the forested southeastern region of Madagascar.
Their name means people of the forest, reflecting their strong connection to the dense and often mountainous landscapes where their villages are located.
Their society is organized through the male lineage, and community life centers on extended families and a communal house called the tranobe.
They speak a Malagasy dialect known as Tanala. Their livelihood traditionally depends on the forest through hunting, woodcraft and the gathering of honey, plants and other natural resources.
They also practice agriculture, especially rice cultivation, and in recent times have grown crops such as coffee and maize.
Their spiritual life is rooted in animism and ancestor veneration.
They believe spirits inhabit the natural world and follow rituals and taboos to maintain balance within the community.
One of their notable traditions is the ceremony of turning the bones, which honors deceased ancestors.
Historically the Tanala resisted external domination, including conflicts with the Merina kingdom in the nineteenth century.
Their remote territory helped preserve their customs.
Today many still live in isolated areas with limited infrastructure, yet their cultural identity and deep knowledge of the forest remain strong.
Website: robertopazziphoto.com/
Instagram: instagram.com/roberto_pazzi_photo
Tanala People
A group of Tanala people gathered in the village hall hut (Madagascar).
HUMANKIND, my premium, limited-edition, museum-quality standard book featuring over 200 large-format photos is available here:
The Tanala are an ethnic group from the forested southeastern region of Madagascar.
Their name means people of the forest, reflecting their strong connection to the dense and often mountainous landscapes where their villages are located.
Their society is organized through the male lineage, and community life centers on extended families and a communal house called the tranobe.
They speak a Malagasy dialect known as Tanala. Their livelihood traditionally depends on the forest through hunting, woodcraft and the gathering of honey, plants and other natural resources.
They also practice agriculture, especially rice cultivation, and in recent times have grown crops such as coffee and maize.
Their spiritual life is rooted in animism and ancestor veneration.
They believe spirits inhabit the natural world and follow rituals and taboos to maintain balance within the community.
One of their notable traditions is the ceremony of turning the bones, which honors deceased ancestors.
Historically the Tanala resisted external domination, including conflicts with the Merina kingdom in the nineteenth century.
Their remote territory helped preserve their customs.
Today many still live in isolated areas with limited infrastructure, yet their cultural identity and deep knowledge of the forest remain strong.
Website: robertopazziphoto.com/
Instagram: instagram.com/roberto_pazzi_photo