Current Time in Madagascar
Culture of time in Madagascar
Culture of time in Madagascar
Flexible sense of time
Madagascar has a relatively relaxed sense of time, and it is not uncommon for things to not start as scheduled. Since relationships with people are important, the situation and flow of conversation tend to take precedence over time.
Market and daily life times are closely aligned
Local markets and commercial activities often start with sunrise and end before sunset. Due to issues with electricity supply and security, a rhythm of life that is aligned with natural light has taken root.
Religious events and customs shape daily life
Festivals and ceremonies influenced by Christianity and traditional ancestor worship place more importance on meaning than time, and often start later than scheduled.
Values regarding time in Madagascar
Values prioritizing human relationships
In Madagascar, the value of prioritizing connections and trust with people is more important than being punctual, and being a little late for an appointment is often not considered a big problem.
Tendency to value the "now"
There is a strong tendency to value "today" and "this moment" more than long-term planning, and a way of life that is not too tied to time is respected.
A relaxed rhythm of life
Compared to urban areas, life is particularly relaxed in rural areas, and "waiting" and "being late" are not considered very stressful.
Things about time that foreigners should know when traveling or moving to Madagascar
Consider appointment times as a "guideline"
Consider meeting and meeting times only as a guideline, and be prepared to tolerate some delays. It is a good idea to assume that things may not go as planned.
Public transport is often not on time
Buses and taxis (shared vans) are not scheduled, and depart as soon as there are enough passengers, so you may not be able to travel as planned.
Be careful when traveling early in the morning or after sunset
Many activities start at sunrise, and after sunset travel may be restricted due to security and transportation infrastructure issues, so it is better to do your activities while it is still light.
Interesting facts about time in Madagascar
There is a term "Madagascar time"
Locals sometimes use the humorous expression "Madagascar time (heure malgache)" to describe delays to a schedule.
Weddings and funerals are also often delayed by several hours
Traditional events may be delayed for hours to wait for participants to arrive, so "on time" is not expected.
Children's school arrival times are flexible
There are many children who arrive at school late for the start of school, and teachers often do not criticize them harshly. This can be said to be the result of taking into consideration transportation conditions and family circumstances.