Madagascar: The Famadihana, ceremony of the return of the dead

In Madagascar, a ceremony dedicated to the deceased is performed. She is called the "Famadihana" or the dead.

Cultures and customs and customs Malagasy are very straight. From North to South and East to West Madagascar , this vast country of 587.000 km2, we meet traditional rites inspired by those of European countries or Africans. Sometimes local folklores are similar to those of Pakistani and Asian. This is the case of "famadihana" or the ceremony to return the dead.

Famadihana: a festive ceremony dedicated to the worship of ancestors

In Madagascar, ancestors and especially the deceased are sacred. They hold an important place in everyday life. Although the majority of the Malagasy people say they are Christians, most of them still pray to the dead. They worship them so that they may bless them and protect them from curses and evil spells. For each project to be undertaken, they devote a few minutes of prayer to invoke the souls of those who left beyond.

Today, the majority of the Malgaches still practice the “famadihana”, or ceremony of the return of the dead, which is a traditional practice of renewing the linceuls of the dead in order to keep them warm. Usually, the "famadihana" takes place in winter and it renews every 3, 5, 7 or 10 years according to the agreements agreed for long dates between the owners of a tomb or according to local customs.

Famadihana: the reflection of fihavanana Malagasy

In Madagascar, "Famadihana" means "festive ceremony" supposing songs, dances and huge expenses in abundant foods ( vary be menaka ), renting troupe of musicians, use of alcoholic beverages gogo, buying new linceuls for the dead, not forgetting the beautiful new clothes for the living. Sometimes they wear similar costume ceremonies.

During the famadihana, the joys can last two or three days or even a whole week. The entire village population is invited to the party. The presence of all descendants of those who occupy the tomb, the object of the famadihana, is almost obligatory and the assistance of friends and the knowledge of the organizers are strongly sought.

At the end of the Famadihana, the organizers are filled with the duty to the ancestors. The guests rejoice in having spent wonderful moments with joy and joy. In short, small and large are happy and keep talking about this event that gathers and reflects the attachment of Malagasy to the Fihavanana .

Main photo credit: Flickr – Hery Zo Rakotondramanana