South of Madagascar: small insight into the traditions of the local tribes
During the visit to the Bara and Antandroy region, you will have the opportunity to experience moments of delightfulness in the region. Zebu holds a prominent place in the life of these castes. According to their customs, a young man cannot claim marriage until he has stolen an ox.
Upon his death, a dignitary must be subjected to long weeks of mortuary velvets to which all the members of his tribe must attend. Weeping and traditional dance sessions will follow. If death is old enough, his flock of zebus must be slaughtered to honour him and to feed the entire community. He must not stay until he is buried. The skulls of the beasts will be carefully washed and preserved to ornate the tomb of the deceased.
In southern Madagascar, the cult of the dead holds a very large place in social life. The tombs of the Bara are nestled in well maintained caves in the massifs of Isalo . Periodically, the bones of a death are thoroughly washed following an ancestral rite. Then they are buried in the same cave, but in a higher place.
A tomb of the Bara – Wikimedia – Hardscarf
In the Malgaches, each male member must be circumcised. In the high plateaus, it is customary to remove the foreskin of the boy during the cool periods and when he is still in the low ages. In the South, circumcision is made collectively. It is commonly called Sambatra . This traditional ceremony is held every 7 years and all members of the scattered tribe in every corner of the Great Island are required to attend. The joys spread over several days.
Photo credit
The Aloalo is a set of carved wood pieces (or posts) that surmount the tombs in southern Madagascar. These are totems that represent the daily life of a deceased, reflect a whole life scene and may even take the appearance of objects. 
Wikimedia – Moongateclimber
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