Generalities on the "Famadihana":
A rich country is not only rich on the material level, a country is also rich by what distinguishes it from the others, that it is about singular food behavior, singular dress code, singular way of life and especially singular "CULTURE". This definition is especially valued by tourists. Generally, tourists admire cultural wealth more than material wealth. This is quite logical, since we visit a country to see the ways of life that we do not have, and that we do not know. If we refer to Madagascar's history, many different nationalities came to the island many years ago, notably Indonesians, Chinese, Indians, some Europeans, etc. This resulted in a cultural diversity. This has resulted in cultural diversity.
Madagascar is a country that has its own customs and habits. The "Famadihana", in English "The exhumation" is a practice that dates back a long time. However, many Malagasy still practice it. The "Famadihana", translated as "the turning over of the dead". This practice lasts about 2 days. The "Famadihana" itself takes place on the second day.
The content and symbolism of the "Famadihana":
As we said, the "Famadihana" is the "turning over of the dead". The "Razana", in English "the ancestors ", or can also be defined as "the deceased" take an important place in the life of the Malagasy, especially of the "Ntaolo Malagasy", more clearly, of the old Malagasy. Several proverbs prove this, for example "Raha Razana tsy hitahy, mifohaza hiady vomanga", in English, "If" Razana" does not bless, wake up to harvest the sweet potatoes". What this proverb means is that the "Razana" have the duty to bless his descendants. Thus, the "Razana" have an important place in the life of those who are still alive. For the Malagasy, those who have already died and those who are still alive still maintain a strong link. We take care of the "Razana" so that they can bless us. Some Malagasy take care of their ancestors by doing the "Famadihana".
Let us pass now, to the process of the "Famadihana":
->It is during the first day that the guests arrive at the village of the people who practice the "Famadihana" in general. When the sun sets, the dance begins. The "Zana-dRazana", in English "the descendants of the ancestors to be returned" are strongly encouraged to dance during the ball, however the guests and their relatives can enjoy as the "Zana-dRazana" of the party.
On the second day, the descendants or relatives of the deceased give lunch to the guests. The food that is given to the guests includes a precious material culture, since a typically Malagasy dish is given. Indeed one gives "Vary be menaka" accompanied by ox meat in general, it is to note that the zebu is the sign of the richness for the Malagasy, but also of the "Maha malagasy", or of what makes the identity of the Malagasy. For this second day, the family which has people to "havadika" kills an ox. If this beef is not enough, the family sometimes kills a pig. At about noon the guests, the family and the "Zana-dRazana" come to the grave. Then the remains of all the old ancestors are taken out to perform the "Famadihana" itself. The "Zana-dRazana" change the covers of the ancestors, in Malagasy "Lambamena". After that, the descendants or family members of the deceased go around the grave 7 times weighing the deceased. After that, the "Razana" are put back in their places. We almost forgot a detail, sometimes the men having a close relative to "havadika" wear "Malabary". This is a traditional Malagasy outfit, which is worn during happy events. The "Malabary" is a bit similar to a shirt, but this one is a bit long.
->And here it is, the "Famadihana" is over
Beyond the practices that the Malagasy do during this event, this practice is full of symbolic meaning like the respect of the ancestors, the respect of the elders. This event lasts about two days, during which the close relatives, the neighbors are invited. The "Famadihana" is a moment for the family to show its cohesion, its solidarity, in Malagasy "Fihavanana". As an illustration, all the procedures during this practice require family cohesion and mutual aid such as the preparation of meals for the guests, the "exhumation" itself. The "Famadihana" also includes many material and immaterial cultures, examples of which we have already mentioned previously. Regarding the immaterial cultures, the family that practices the "Famadihana", call upon the "Mpikabary". The "Mpikabary" are men who know the Malagasy cultures, and who are called during some events basically Malagasy.
