Prior to Ranavalona II's Code of 305 Articles, marriage customs were established by men and mainly handed down through oral tradition.
These customs authorised polygamy, even attributing a specific role to each wife.
This article will be about the different types of women in Madagascan tradition. Despite the disappearance (in legal terms) of these practices 140 years ago, how do you think this cultural heritage influences the status of women today?
The types of wives in Madagascar were:
- "Vady Be" (the great wife) : The vady be is the main spouse. This position is usually given to the first wife. Ex: King Andrianampoinimerina is known to have had 12 wives. His "vady be" was his own cousin, Rabodonimerina.
- " Vady Masay (secondary wife) : A man could take a second wife if his Vady Be was unable to fulfil his marital duties due to ill health, infertility or the husband's dissatisfaction.
- " Vady Kely" (the little wife) : The vady kely is the name given to the third wife. A man could even have more than a dozen wives, guaranteeing him a large progeny.
- "Vady antsiraka" (the waterside wife) : Vady antsiraka is the name given to local women maintained by a man when the latter was away from home. The word was also used to designate prostitutes who gave themselves to travelers.
- "Vady loloha" (the wife one carries) : It is customary for a man to take the wife of his deceased brother as his wife. This is the woman he inherits.
- "Vady tsindry fe" (the wife who sits on the thigh) : The vady tsindry-fe is generally chosen by the vady be to satisfy her husband's desires. She is generally a servant.
Sources: Malagasy ve ianao Facebook page | Rajemisa (1985). Rakibolana Malagasy. Editions Ambozontany. Antananarivo, Madagascar