Sampy

{{Short description|Amulet or idol of spiritual significance to the Malagasy people}}

{{Short description|Amulet or idol of spiritual significance to the Malagasy people}}

{{About|the Malagasy Amulet|the Youtuber|Stampy|the Simpsons character|Stampy (The Simpsons character)|the Transformers character|Stampy (Transformers)}}

[[File:Sampy talisman idol Madagascar.jpg|thumb|right|alt=boar tusks and metal trinkets fastened with twine to a cluster of wooden dowels|Each ''sampy'' was fashioned from diverse components.]]

[[File:Sampy talisman idol Madagascar.jpg|thumb|right|alt=boar tusks and metal trinkets fastened with twine to a cluster of wooden dowels|Each ''sampy'' was fashioned from diverse components.]]

A '''sampy''' is an [[amulet]] or idol of spiritual and political importance among numerous [[Ethnic groups of Madagascar|ethnic groups in Madagascar]]. Amulets and idols fashioned from assorted natural materials have occupied an important place among many Malagasy communities for centuries. Sampy can be classified into two categories. Those that are meant to bless and protect an entire community by serving as a deity figure, and individual amulets that people wear on their person as protection. The latter are called '''Ody'''. The Sampy are sometimes considered autonomous beings; having their own name, their own characteristics, their own purposes, their own conditions and even their own home. Among the most famous are Ikelimaza, Rafantaka and Ramahavaly.

A '''sampy''' is an [[amulet]] or idol of spiritual and political importance among numerous [[Ethnic groups of Madagascar|ethnic groups in Madagascar]]. Amulets and idols fashioned from assorted natural materials have occupied an important place among many Malagasy communities for centuries. Sampy can be classified into two categories. Those that are meant to bless and protect an entire community by serving as a deity figure, and individual amulets that people wear on their person as protection. The latter are called '''Ody'''. The Sampy are sometimes considered autonomous beings; having their own name, their own characteristics, their own purposes, their own conditions and even their own home. Among the most famous are Ikelimaza, Rafantaka and Ramahavaly.