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Betsileo literally means ''The many invincibles''. About 12% of the population of Madagascar are Betsileo. The majority of them live in the central highlands south of the [[Merina]] around [[Fianarantsoa]]. About 150,000 have their home in the Betsiboka region.
[[File:Betsileo_01.jpg|600px|none|thumb|Betsileo man in the early morning hours near Tsara Camp[[Morarano]] village]]
The Betsileo culture is similar to their Merina neighbours. The Betsileo are reputedly the best farmers in Madagascar and therefore well known for their very good knowledge of rice cultivation. Irrigated, terraced rice paddies are characteristic scenery around Betsileo villages. Men are traditionally wrapped in colourful blankets, women have often shiny gold teeth. Single boys will put place a comb and in their hair, whilst single girls many will use hair clips in their hair to inform potential partners that they are looking for a partneravailable.
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<td valign="top">[[Image:Betsileo_06.jpg|189px|none|thumb|Betsileo women pounding the rice]]</td></tr></table>
The ceremony of [[Famadihana]] - ''turning of the bones'' - was introduced to the Betsileo people by the Merina during the time of Queen {{nowrap begin}}Ranavalona I.{{nowrap end}} Like many other ethnical groups, also the Betsileo are also superstitious. For example, it is [[fady]] to start a meal before the father or the most honourable person is present. For a husband it is fady to wear a lamba (traditional blanket) thrown over his shoulder during the pregnancy of his wife. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" style="margin-right:10px;"><tr><td valign="top">[[Image:Betsileo_07.jpg|189px|none|thumb|[[Morarano]] village in the Tsaranoro valley]]</td><td valign="top">[[Image:Betsileo_08.jpg|189px|none|thumb|Traditional Betsileo house]]</td><td valign="top">[[Image:Betsileo_09.jpg|189px|none|thumb|Young Betsileo woman]]</td></tr></table>
