Sahavoay

The Sahavoay are primarily located in the Farafangana District,^[7][8] within the Atsimo Atsinanana region of Madagascar. They are especially concentrated in the communes of Bevoay,Ambohigogo, Maheriraty and Ambohimandroso.^[9][10]

The Sahavoay like the Karimbola, Vezo, Mikea and the Sahafatra aren't included in the 18 officially recognized tribes of Madagascar despite being a full-fledged ethnic group. They are registered as Antaifasy in official documents.^[11][12]

The Sahavoay and the Sahafatra were considered among the most remote tribes on Madagascar's east coast in the 19th century and are recognized as the earliest known inhabitants of the Farafangana District.^[13][14]Related isolated groups to the Sahavoay and Sahafatra are regarded as the first inhabitants of southeastern Madagascar, though they are not well documented and were largely assimilated by later arrivals such as the Antemoro, Antaifasy, Antaisaka, and Antambahoaka.^[15]

Over time, the Sahavoay lost parts of their ancestral territory due to the expansion of groups from the west, likely of Sakalava or Bara origin, who became the Antaisaka and Antefasy.^[16] Many Sahavoay were assimilated by these groups—particularly the Antaisaka subgroups such as the Zaramanampy and Zarafagniliha as well as by the Antefasy of the Ndremamory clan.^[17] However, those who remained unassimilated continue to inhabit their present territory.^[18]

The Sahavoay are traditionally divided into three clans:

• Marohava
• Mahasaka
• Andrakony^[19]

The Sahavoay are primarily engaged in agriculture. Their economic activities include the cultivation of both subsistence and cash crops. Key export-oriented products include Coffee, cloves, and black pepper, while rice remains a staple crop cultivated for local consumption.^[20]

• Ethnic groups in Madagascar
• Malagasy people
• Atsimo Atsinanana