In the Malagasy culture, a fady is a system of prohibition implemented by ancestors or locals to protect, for example, a long-standing custom and/or tradition or a particular site or area.

It is no doubt that Madagascar has considerable natural resources and is famous for having a unique and rich biodiversity. Home to thousands of plants and animal species found nowhere else in the world, the island’s endemism may increase the rate of threat of its resources and may make its species even more endangered. This is why conservation and protection systems must be set up, highly strengthened and enforced. In some remote areas of Madagascar, locals appeal for social norms and restriction barriers to protect and manage their lands and natural riches. They put some taboos or fady that they believe will operate if anyone else attempts to rob their natural deposits or disrespect what is forbidden, commonly known as sacrilege. The concept of fady or taboo traces its roots back to the Merina kingdoms. Skeptical people consider the fady as only fussy stories, whereas many Malagasy traditionalists have long counted on it, reckoning its importance as a shield and a fail-proof protection system.

The fady varies according to villages’ customs and each region may have their own taboos or fady. These fady are set as rules that may govern the village and stand as perpetrated traditions. In the Malagasy culture, a fady may concern objects, places, animals, plants, or even a certain behavior. There are regions that may deprive you, for instance, from eating certain foods when visiting the place. This is the case of a tribe located in the west of Madagascar named “Zanakantitra”, who does not consume onion and makes it a fady. There are also different places considered sacred on which it is banned to build a foundation. Sometimes these places were once graves, and for Malagasy people, graves are sacred since it has a direct link with ancestors. Yet, the respect of the ancestors means a lot to Malagasy people. Pointing a finger at graves is also considered fady by many but sounds like just a legend to others. In some traditions, the fady can involve animals as well, the “Indris”, for example. These are lemur species acknowledged as sacred animals because of the several myths that surround them. It is believed that the spirits of the ancestors live in these lemurs.

The list of the fady is a long one, but these are only a few examples seen in different regions of the island. For so long, taboos and social norms have largely contributed to the evolution of today’s Malagasy society. Similarly, they have played an important conservation role regarding Madagascar’s riches.

Sources: “Les Fady ou Tabous à Madagascar”, Bertin Razafimpahanana / “Taboos, social norms and conservation in the eastern rainforests of Madagascar”, Julia P G Jones et al., 2007