Earliest burial practices Architecture of Madagascar

traditionally, majority of malagasy ethnic groups did not construct solid tombs dead. rather, bodies of deceased left in designated natural area decompose. among bara people of southern arid plains, instance, tombs may built natural features such rock outcroppings or hillsides placing bodies within , partially or entirely sealing space stacked stones or zebu skulls. alternately, among tanala, deceased may placed in coffins made hollowed-out logs , left in caves or sacred grove of trees, covered on wooden planks held down small piles of stones. said vazimba, earliest inhabitants of madagascar, submerged dead in waters of designated bog, river, lake or estuary, thereby considered sacred purpose. practice existed among earliest merina, submerged dead chiefs in canoes highland bogs or other designated waters. tombs built, minor variation in form , placement 1 ethnic group next overshadowed common features: structure partially or subterranean, typically rectangular in design , made of stone either stacked loosely or cemented masonry. among merina , betsileo, stone tombs , burial sites indicated upright, unmarked standing stones.