This year from April 4th to 7th, one of the most important traditional feasts among Malagasy people took place all over the country. In a big town as well as in a remote hamlet, each ethnic group glorifies the traditional Malagasy New Year. Deep-seated rituals and flamboyant feasts last for 4 days. And on the 2nd day, atmosphere becomes magical as everyone gets ready for the end of the year party. A ceremony called “Fidiovana” opens up the day. Each participant is going to be water purified to get rid of all bad things of the year to be over. The spirit of reconciliation can’t but overwhelm the atmosphere! At the beginning of the evening, a fire is set up until dawn in each house, in each place. Traditional music is being played.

The 3rd day is the beginning of the “Alahamady”, the first month in the Malagasy lunar calendar. Not only it’s the end of lean period and rainy season, but especially it’s the month to harvest rice. This day starts with the sacrifice of zebu to honour “Zanahary”, the Creator and “Razana”, the Ancestors. Not any zebu, but a big black-coloured male with white spot on the forehead. Participants are not going to be forgotten as cooked meat will be shared to them on behalf of brotherhood “Fihavanana”. This is the ceremony of “Nofon-kena mitam-pihavanana”, which literally means ‘meats which keep brotherhood’, a very important pillar of Malagasy society.

Zebu meat is eaten with rice cooked with milk and mixed with honey, right after water and rum are going to be sprayed to participants as a blessing. It’s the “Fafy rano” ceremony! At the end of the meal, sheaf of rice are going to be shared to everybody. This ceremony is called by Malagasy “Zara Hasina”. On March 26th in Sacred hill of Amboniazy Miarinarivo, in ITASY Region (Westward to ANTANANARIVO) was held a conclave in order to prepare that Malagasy New Year. Kings, princes and astrologists from all over the country took part in it.

Malagasy New Year started to be celebrated in the 16th century with King RALAMBO on the Sacred hill of Ambohitrabiby, Northern to ANTANANARIVO. Such a great traditional event has lasted for centuries until the beginning of Christianity period in 1818. From that period, crowd celebrations disappeared even if noble families had kept doing it at home.

In the 21st century, associations like “TRANO KOLTARALY MALAGASY”, with the help of kings and princes all over MADAGASCAR, have made enormous efforts to invigorate this Malagasy cultural inheritance.

Newest Posts