Editing Madagascar (section)

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Madagascar}}
[[File:Antsirabe_-_église.JPG|thumb|right|[[Our Lady of La Salette Cathedral, Antsirabe|Our Lady of La Salette Cathedral]] in [[Antsirabe]]]]
[[File:130415-Eglise de Faravohitra.jpg|thumb|right|Faravohitra [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] Church in [[Antananarivo]]]]
[[Christianity]] is the most widely professed religion in Madagascar. According to the most recent national census completed in 1993, a majority of the population (52 percent) adhered to indigenous beliefs, with Christianity being the largest single religion at 41 percent, followed by [[Islam]] at 7 percent. However, according to the [[Pew Research Center]] in 2020, 85% of the population identified as [[Christianity in Madagascar|Christian]], while just 4.5% exclusively practiced folk religions; [[Protestantism|Protestants]] comprise a plurality of Christians, followed by [[Roman Catholicism in Madagascar|Roman Catholics]].<ref name="pew">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/madagascar#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2020&region_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2015 |title=Religions in Madagascar &#124; PEW-GRF |publisher=Globalreligiousfutures.org |access-date=20 September 2017 |archive-date=9 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109064122/http://globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/madagascar#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2010&region_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> In contrast, a 2020 study conducted by the [[Association of Religion Data Archives]] found 58.1% of the population was [[Christian]], 2.1% [[Muslim]], 39.2% practiced traditional faiths, and 0.6% was [[Irreligious|nonreligious]] or adhered to other faiths.<ref name="National Profiles">{{cite web | url=https://www.thearda.com/world-religion/national-profiles?u=137c | title=National Profiles | access-date=29 September 2022 | archive-date=27 December 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227190017/https://www.thearda.com/world-religion/national-profiles?u=137c | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="BGNote" />

The inconsistency in religious data reflects the common practice of alternating between religious identities or [[Syncretism|syncretizing]] different faith traditions. Christians integrate and combine their religious beliefs with the deeply rooted practice of honoring ancestors. For instance, they may bless their dead at church before proceeding with traditional burial rites or invite a [[minister (Christianity)|Christian minister]] to consecrate a ''famadihana'' reburial.<ref name="famadihana" /> Christianity is predominant in the highlands.<ref>{{cite web |title=Madagascar |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/madagascar/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=United States Department of State |language=en-US |archive-date=29 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929132734/https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/madagascar/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Malagasy Council of Churches comprises the four oldest and most prominent Christian denominations of Madagascar (Roman Catholic, [[Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar]], [[Malagasy Lutheran Church|Lutheran]], and [[Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean|Anglican]]) and has been influential in Malagasy politics.<ref name="USSD">{{cite web |author=((Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor)) |year=2006 |title=International Religious Freedom Report: Madagascar |url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71310.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120123150701/http%3A//www%2Estate%2Egov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71310%2Ehtm |archive-date=23 January 2012 |access-date=22 January 2012 |publisher=U.S. Department of State}}</ref>

The [[Veneration of the dead|veneration of ancestors]] has led to the widespread tradition of tomb building, as well as the highlands practice of the ''[[famadihana]]'', whereby a deceased family member's remains are exhumed and re-wrapped in fresh silk shrouds, before being replaced in the tomb. The ''famadihana'' is an occasion to celebrate the beloved ancestor's memory, reunite with family and community, and enjoy a festive atmosphere. Residents of surrounding villages are often invited to attend the party, where food and rum are typically served, and a ''[[hiragasy]]'' troupe or other musical entertainment is commonly present.<ref name=famadihana>{{cite news |last = Bearak |first = Barry |title = Dead Join the Living in a Family Celebration |newspaper = New York Times |page = A7 |date = 5 September 2010 |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/06/world/africa/06madagascar.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120127041227/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/06/world/africa/06madagascar.html |archive-date = 27 January 2012 |url-status=live |access-date =13 January 2012}}</ref> Consideration for ancestors is also demonstrated through adherence to ''[[Fady (taboo)|fady]]'', taboos that are respected during and after the lifetime of the person who establishes them. It is widely believed that by showing respect for ancestors in these ways, they may intervene on behalf of the living. Conversely, misfortunes are often attributed to ancestors whose memory or wishes have been neglected. The sacrifice of [[zebu]] is a traditional method used to appease or honor the ancestors. In addition, the Malagasy traditionally believe in a creator god, called [[Zanahary]] or Andriamanitra.<ref name=Bradtbeliefs>Bradt (2011), pp.&nbsp;13–20</ref>

Islam was first brought to Madagascar in the Middle Ages by [[Arab people|Arab]] and [[Somali people|Somali]] Muslim traders, who established several Islamic schools along the eastern coast. While the use of Arabic script and loan words, and the adoption of Islamic astrology, would spread across the island, Islam took hold in only a handful of southeastern coastal communities. In 2020, [[Islam in Madagascar|Muslims]] constituted 2% of the population of Madagascar.<ref name="National Profiles"/><ref name="BGNote" /> They are largely concentrated in the northwestern provinces of [[Mahajanga]] and [[Antsiranana]]. Muslims are divided between ethnic Malagasy and Indians, Pakistanis and Comorans.

[[Hinduism]] was introduced to Madagascar through [[Gujarati people]] immigrating from the [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] region of [[India]] in the late 19th century. Most Hindus in Madagascar speak [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] or [[Hindi]] at home, reflecting the faiths concentration among those of Indian ancestry.<ref name="id">{{cite web |title = Report of the High Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora |publisher = Ministry of External Affairs, India |year = 2004 |url = http://indiandiaspora.nic.in/diasporapdf/chapter8.pdf |access-date = 22 January 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030629092115/http://indiandiaspora.nic.in/diasporapdf/chapter8.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date = 29 June 2003 }}</ref>

[[Rabbinic Judaism]] emerged on the island in the 21st century, as the common belief in a myth of Jewish origin for the Malagasy peoples inspired [[Messianic Judaism|Messianic Jews]] in Antananarivo to begin researching Judaism and studying the [[Torah]]. In 2016, 121 members of the [[Jews in Madagascar|Malagasy Jewish community]] were formally converted to Orthodox Judaism.<ref>{{Citation |title=FACES OF AFRICA: The Jews of Madagascar | date=27 February 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9ra7mq7wBM |access-date=2024-01-13 |language=en |archive-date=13 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113014116/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9ra7mq7wBM |url-status=live }}</ref>