The Vezo

"In order to be Vezo, a person must act in the present, for it is only in the present that one performs one's identity." -- Rita Astuti, People of the Sea: Identity and Descent among the Vezo of Madagascar

The Vezo, who live along the southwest coast of Madagascar, are known as “the people of the sea” for their close cultural, economic and spiritual ties to the ocean waters. So linked to the sea are the Vezo, they believe their children only "become" Vezo when they learn how to fish, paddle a canoe or swim. In fact, foreigners can “become” Vezo by learning how to properly sail traditional boats called pirogues. The Vezo identity is not determined by birth or descent, but is created in the present by what people do and where they live.

Vezo villagers rely on healthy ocean waters for survival, using marine resources for food, transport and trade. They sail daily out to sea in small but stable pirogues, canoes hollowed out from tree trunks and fitted with an outrigger pole and a small rectangular sail.

The Vezo often hold ceremonies and erect shrines thanking their spiritual ancestors for the bounty provided by the ocean.

The Vezo's traditional religious beliefs revolve around spiritual ancestors. Clan elders consult with these spirits for community advice. During consultations, the elders douse the ground in rum and sometimes sacrifice cattle.

Family ties are extremely important among the Vezo and elders are greatly respected in the community.

Families often provide for each other with younger members building boats for the elderly to use. Maintaining family ties is important to ensure that one is looked after in old age, or after an accident or ill health.

Family relationships are particularly important to Vezo fishers because they determine access to marine resources and fishing gear.