French and Malagasy are the official languages. About half of the people are Christians, and about one-tenth are Muslims. They worship ancestors and spirits. The people of Madagascar have great respect for their ancestors. They devote much time and effort to caring for their graveyards.
Many tombs look like painted houses.
Other tombs have beautifully carved wooden ornaments called staffs on top. The Malagasy who practice local African religions perform cattle sacrifices and other ceremonies at family tombs. Many people of Madagascar wear European-style clothing. The country's markets sell many American T-shirts and blue jeans. But each region in Madagascar has a distinctive straw hat that the people wear on special occasions.