Famadihana Tradition

Ceremony Overview

In Madagascar the Malagasy people have a tradition called Famadihana. Famadihana means ‘the turning of the ancestors’ bodies’ and is how they honor the dead and they believe in celebrating the life lived by their ancestors. Famadihana is based off the belief that the spirits of the dead join the world of the ancestors after the body decomposes completely and they do the appropriate ceremonies. They believe the spirit does not immediately depart and must care for their loved ones and ancestors until they pass into the afterlife. The ceremony is usually done once every five to seven years. To organize this ceremony the families whose ancestors share the same tomb meet a year before to discuss the plans for the Famadihana. This covers the dates, expenses, and guest list. Many family members haven’t seen each other since the last Famadihana so they gather to introduce new family members the day before. Famadihana is also when the children meet their ancestors. To start the ceremony the bodies of the ancestors are taken from their tombs, gently laid out, cleaned, and dressed in fresh burial shrouds. During the ceremony family members often ask the ancestors for blessings and share news about the family or their own life with the ancestors. Following this they have a huge feast in their honor, dance to music sometimes with the dead ancestors. The festival is more of a family reunion than funeral and they believe the spirits of the dead enjoy it just as much as the living. After the ceremony ends, which can be fairly expensive and last up to a week, they return the ancestors to their tomb with gifts, money, and alcohol and the tomb is closed.

Colonization

This tradition emerged in the 1820s after the return of their soldiers’ remains. Now the tradition is on the decline in part because of the cost of silk shrouds, believe that the practice is outdated, and the colonization period from France. There is not evidence that the French actively tried to suppress Famadihana, the missionaries changed religion and everyday life in a way that some old customs, such as Famadihana became less common. The early missionaries did discouraged Famadihana and the Evangelical Christian Malagasy abandoned the practice. Recently the Catholic Church changed its belief that the ceremony is cultural not religious so they no longer object to Famadihana. In modern day Famadihana is not dead, just less prominent. 

Differences in Tribes

         The style of the tomb defines the different tribes and includes the wealth and status of the family. Some examples of this are the Antandroy and Mahafaly tribes use Zebu horns on the tomb as a symbol of wealth. The Mahafaly aloalo bear depicts scenes from the person’s life. The Merina would place the body in a hollowed-out tree trunk, but later started building wooden tombs and eventually built with bricks and stone. The Sakalava tomb were originally just piles of stones. They build tombs for individuals not families and believe when. The wood decays the soul of the buried person is released.