Moraingy (also known as moringue and morengy) is a traditional martial art that was developed on the west coast of Madagascar possibly as early as the 17th century. The striking discipline, that includes punches and kicks, emerged during the precolonial Maroseranana dynasty. Today moraigny is an important cultural touchstone — and well attended spectacle — for people across the island, as well as in neighboring Mauritius, Comoros, and Seychelles.
Photojournalist Finbarr O’Reilly traveled to Sambava in northern Madagascar to witness a moraingy competition. His words and pictures were published in The New York Times.
“Bouts are a blur of fists, elbows, knees and feet punctuated by the thud of vicious slugs and the smack of bodies hitting the ground.