The people of Madagascar celebrate a unique ritual called Famadihana,
also known as ‘turning of the bones’. It is a festival celebrated every
7 years or so, during which family crypts are opened up and the remains
of dead ancestors are brought out to be wrapped in new cloth. The
Malagasy then dance with the corpses in great joy. Live music is played,
animals are sacrificed and the meat is distributed to various guests
and members of the family. Famadihana is viewed
as a family celebration, even extended
families get together and celebrate kinship.
According to Malagasy belief, people are made from
the bodies of the ancestors. Hence they hold their forefathers in high
regard. They also believe that unless the bodies decompose completely,
the dead do not leave permanently and are able to communicate with the
living. So until they are gone forever, love and affection is showered
on them through the Famadihana festival.
