Peuplement et Cultures Materielles de la Basse Vallee de I ' onilahy Sud-Ouest de Madagascar)

Abstract

Ethnoarchaeological investigations carried out in the low valley of Onilahy allowed us to collect information about the population of this region and also to make observations on the material cultures. The local populations ' way of life is shared between two complementary surroundings: the marine environment and the river. Oral tradition that evokes the Mikea and/or the Tandavake suggests ancient settlement. There, rock shelters and caves are important as places of worship. However, the latter eventually serve also as places of burial. In cases of inundation, the rock shelters are used as refuges for human and for animals. Regarding material cultures, the work of stone, wood, skin, for the domestic objects is important.