Question

"In the 1600s, if two people from my region encountered each other, they would identify themselves by what family we came from. In the 1700s, we were invaded by Merina peoples from the north. We realized that we are all more similar to each other than we to our Merina overlords, so we started calling ourselves Betsileo, 'the many never conquered.' Then in the 1800s, British missionaries wanted to bring education and technology to the sophisticated people of our island. At this point we realized that Betsileo and Merina are pretty similar to each other and that we are more sophisticated than the coastal people, so we started to refer to all Betsileo and Merina as 'Mountain people.' In the 1900s, the French invaded. We started to realize that the Mountain People and the Coastal People are really all the same people, Malagasy, and we united against the French. In the 2000s, we became Africans when our country joined the African Union." This (true!) story of identity formation in Madagascar is an example of:

Answer 1

This story of identity formation in Madagascar illustrates the process of cultural assimilation and the development of ethnic identity.

Step-by-step explanation:

This story of identity formation in Madagascar is an example of cultural assimilation and the development of ethnic identity. In the 1600s, people in the region identified themselves based on their family. However, when the Merina people invaded in the 1700s, the locals realized their shared similarities and formed an identity as Betsileo. Then, in the 1800s, they recognized their similarities to the Merina people and referred to themselves as 'Mountain people.' In the 1900s, they unified as the Malagasy people and resisted the French invasion. Finally, in the 2000s, they became part of the African Union, further shaping their identity.