The Antemoro Sorabe: Arab Writing in Madagascar

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Antemoro people's unique contribution to Malagasy culture: sorabe, a script based on Arabic used to write the Malagasy language. They trace the Antemoro's origins to Arab settlers from the Hadhramaut, their rise as scribes and ritual specialists (ombiasy) for Sakalava and Merina courts, and the sacred manuscripts that recorded history, astrology, and magic. The conversation covers the transition from oral to written tradition, the decline of sorabe under French colonial rule, and efforts to preserve these fragile palm-leaf manuscripts today. Tune in to learn how a small Muslim community became the keepers of Madagascar's written heritage. #Antemoro #Sorabe #Madagascar #ArabicScript #Ombiasy #Hadhramaut #Zafiraminia #Mahilaka #Merina #Sakalava #FrenchColonialism #Manuscripts #OralTradition #MalagasyHistory #IndianOcean #EastAfrica #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo