The marginalization of indigenous peoples from tribal lands in southeast Madagascar

Abstract

This article draw on primary ethnographic data from a village in Madagascar to argue that ‘indigenous’ peoples are experiencing increased ‘marginalization’ in relation to land, resulting from the expansion of international tourism. It is maintained that with the development of the region's international tourist trade, external tour operators are exacerbating the conflict, complexity and contradiction of attitudes and experiences surrounding land issues that already exist within the study area. The article identifies the forms of marginalization occurring and explores the extent to which select groups within the village are being affected. The article goes on to give details of the emerging areas of conflict that result from increased marginalization. In conclusion, the article recognizes the difficulties of imposing notions of private property on an indigenous community and acknowledges that in addition to international tourism other global forces are also likely to be contributing to the current situation. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.