The people of Betsileo are known
for their agriculture. They are skilled farmers whose economy is supported
through primarily rice cultivation, which serves as a staple food in
Madagascar. Though, this has changed in recent years in which the old economy
mainstay was cattle. While some Betsileo still breed and raise cattle, it is
primarily used to store wealth as a means of production of rice. Tobacco,
another production of the group, is used as a cash crop. On average, the
Betsileo expend about 1,700 hours of human labor annually to farm one hectare
(~2.5 acres) of rice land, and about 1,400 hours for the average household rice
holding. A division of labor by age and gender is marked in the cultivation and
preparation of rice. Men usually take on the more difficult tasks while women
offer assistance. Women are also responsible for removing the rice husks,
cooking and serving.
Betsileos are also involved in trade and market sales. Cattle are often traded for weapons, such as, muskets, bullets, and gun powder. Market towns in the Central region of Madagascar date as far back to the 19th century. Today products and produce, including beef and bread, are sold at weekly markets held throughout Betsileo country. Market towns usually have market on the same day each week, and a particular village typically have access to at least two such market towns.
Betsileos are also involved in trade and market sales. Cattle are often traded for weapons, such as, muskets, bullets, and gun powder. Market towns in the Central region of Madagascar date as far back to the 19th century. Today products and produce, including beef and bread, are sold at weekly markets held throughout Betsileo country. Market towns usually have market on the same day each week, and a particular village typically have access to at least two such market towns.
1) Countries and their Cultures. Betsileo- Economy. N.d. Electronic Document,http://www.everyculture.com/Africa-Middle-East/Betsileo-Economy.html, accessed March 24 2015
Looking at this way of living from a self perspective, It is interesing to me how much their economy rely strictly on rice. This is similar to my family's background becasue my dad, who was born in the Dominican Republic, has shared stories of him and his siblings when they were younger and how they had to help out on their grandmothers rice farm. Much like the Betsileos, rice is such an important crop in the Dominican Republic. I also found it to be interesting that markets had to be set up on specific days of the week, where as here in America, we have access to supermarkets at any time of the day in which we can go and buy food. The betsileos have little support of their economy so it is vital for their rice farms to be abundant and efficient because unlike here they dont have the goods and millions of jobs to keep their economy afloat come hard times.
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