Culture
 Hira Gasy
Like most cultural aspects of the country, Hira Gasy is totally unique to Madagascar. It's a traditional form of Malagasy entertainment that is said to have existed since 1789, and the rule of King Andrianampoinimerina. This king provided his people with farming tools and techniques so they would be able to feed themselves in times of famine or times of plenty; and mpikabary (orators) went to perform for them (including singers and dancers) to entertain them. The practice of Hira Gasy has been popular ever since to give thanks to their kings. What Happens at a Hira Gasy performance? Today, a Hira Gasy performance consists of several themes; each theme is made up of five phases, like Sasitehaka (a prelude, usually about ten minutes long). The main part of the Hira Gasy is the Renihira, which introduces the main theme of the performance. The themes can be about farming, social issues, weddings, or even trade. The songs linked to this theme can last for an hour our more. Today, many influences are adopted in the Hira Gasy, like the red uniforms worn by the French during their colonization of the island. Hira Gasy is sometimes staged during sacred ceremonies; these include Famadihana (the exhumation of the dead for reburial), the circumcision ceremony for one to seven year olds and other important events. Sometimes performances are also put on for tourists although these are often only for tour groups. For locals, Hira Gasy is done for public entertainment too, and in small towns and villages you may stumble across a traditional performance. The "FAMADIHANA" (the exhumation or the bones returning) The "FAMADIHANA" is an important Malagasy traditional feast which is related to the returning of the rests and bones of the RAZANA so that they can be repacked in new layers of LAMBAMENA. This is also an opportunity to honor the transfer of someone's bones back to his RAZANA's tomb. To make the feast special, the RAZANA's family sold zebus or other belongings in order to save all the money necessary to honor this event and organize it 2 to 7 years after the last FAMADIHANA or the burial while sadness and sorrow had completely disappeared. On the "D" Day, the RAZANA's tomb and house and their surroundings should be well dressed. Relatives, friends and neighbours are invited and they keep coming to bring their "SAO-DRAZANA" which means "thanks to the RAZANA". One to three zebus are killed for the feast animated by one to three groups of MPIHIRA GASY. Traditional songs and dances are played especially those which were the RAZANA's favorite. One or many RAZANA are packed with new LAMBAMENA. The "KABARY" starts and ends the festival dealing with the RAZANA's biography, words of Thanks to God and the Guests, preceded and followed by a prayer. THE RATIONALE BEHIND THE "FAMADIHANA" Malagasy ancestors believe that the "FANAHY" makes the human being. It is from God, it makes men different from animals and goes back to him after our death. That's why the "FANAHY" is sacred. The "RAZANA" should be highly respected through the "FAMADIHANA". Apart from that, the family's unity is highlighted in Malagasy ancestor society whether dead or alive. It is because the "FANAHY" is the basics of life and relationship. Let's not forget that it is a sort of insult for the MAlagasy people not to be buried in their RAZANA's tomb, and a real shame for someone whose burial in this tomb has been refused or forbidden by his ancestors or his parents. These are illustrated by the following quotation : "Velona iray trano, maty iray fasana" "Alive in the same house, dead in the same tomb" and the practice of the "FAMADIHANA" is an opportunity to unify the souls of the family members through the reconciliation and tolerance among them. The Sambatra
Circumcision is an inevitable stage in the life of a young boy in Madagascar. An uncircumcised man would be exposed to public scorn, would be banished from the clan, would never find a wife and even worse, will have no place in the family vault. In Mananjary, on the east coast of Madagascar, the Antambahoaka tribe celebrates every 7 years the "Sambatra", a collective circumcision ritual. The festivities last 4 weeks. The first 3 weeks during which people from everywhere in the surrounding bush converge ot the main village are dedicated to the preparations. Every day except thurday which is a taboo day, at sunrise and sunset, the wise men come together into the king's hut while the women dance to invoque the ancestors benediction. During the last week, or holy week, the activities go crescendo. Women go to the bush to collect rushes, plait mats and make dresses and bonnets for the young boys. Men carve wooden pigeons to be placed on the top of the kings hut. The king gets out of his hut to make the regal danse. The Friday, effervescence is on top. In the morning, the young men assault the fathers of the intended circumcised in order to show their virility and then, after zebus have been scarified, the whole tribe proceeds to the mouth of the sacred river to make ablutions. Back to the king's hut, the little boys will undergo the painful operation which will transform them into men... The Fitampoha
Fitampoha is one of the Malagasy customs in the region of Menabe, the western part of Madagascar, which was occupied originally by the Sakalava tribe. People in that region celebrate the relics because, in their opinion, sovereigns do not stop to be sovereigns even in their demure. To be precise, fitampoha is a cult to celebrate the rites of the Dady wash, or the bath of the royal ancestors' relics which contain mainly teeth, hair, and finger nails. During the celebration, these idols are washed carefully with affection, using accessories such as dusters, honey, olive oil, and vegetable soaps known as fihositry. The sacred house, or zomba, in which the relics are stored, dwelled in a village called Belo Tsiribihina. Fitampoha is managed by the royal family and the keeper or guard of the Dady--the royal ancestor's relics. The Sakalava slaughter on average 20 oxen for the ceremony, and all the tribe contribute to the expenses for the realization. This is why fitampoha covers a national character. The ceremony is held in the sacred Tsiribihy river. It has traditionally been practiced every year during the Asaramanitra month (July). Today, fitampoha is realized every ten years. TSAGANTSAINA "the bath of the royal relics Antakarana" The people of the north of the island celebrate every five years the "Tsanga-tsaina". It is the greatest festival antakarana, it consists in expressing its attachment with its traditions and especially with its king. The "tsanga-tsaina" which wants to say the erection of a mast is also, an occasion to point out the essential values of the antakarana and to strengthen their historical unit. This collective festival antakarana is animated by dance called: manimpa, the dance of the stick, the folk songs, and, is accompanied by prayers and the sacrifice. Everywhere, the alcoholic beverages run with floods. The ceremony of the "tsanga-tsaina" proceeds in four stages: - pilgrimage and royal baths with Nosy Mitsio. - pilgrimage in the crowned caves of Ankarana - research and cut of wood for the clothes industry of the royal mast. - and, finally erection of the national flag and that with crescent and red stars of the king, in the village of Ambatoharanana. The "tsanga-tsaina" is a very impressive traditional festival, this festival tends to take a folk character for better alluring a public of tourists. |
|
 |  |
