Africa is an exotic place. If you don't believe, then you have not heard of the Famadihana. The Famadihana is one of the funeral traditions of the Merina people of Madagascar (no be Naija joor...lol). Also called the Turning of the Bones, it involves the digging up of graves and the exhuming of the bodies of long-dead relatives every five or seven years.
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| A famadihana ceremony in progress. |
 Picture shows Malagasy men exhuming the remains of their relatives in a family burial chamber in Ambohimirary. |
There is also plenty of eating and drinking. It pretty much reminds me of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico but that one is slightly different as the party occurs overnight in the cemetery (are you freaked out already??)
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| Reclothed corpses are placed out for sunbathing before they are reburied. |
“It is good to thank the ancestors in person because we owe
them everything. We do not come from mud; we come from
these bodies.”
When collecting the dead at night, family elders use a single candle to locate and identify the dead relatives.
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| Madagascar is shown encircled in red. Yes, you are familiar with it. |
The exact origins of the Famadihana tradition of Madagascar is not clear but it is said to be based on the belief that the spirits of the departed ancestors can only join the world of the dead after seven years when the decomposition must have been complete.
The bodies are properly wrapped and scented before being placed back in the burial crypts.
The elaborate celebrations are also part of ensuring that their ancestors are admitted properly into the world of the dead. Effectively, the Famadihana is a reburial ceremony and the word itself means 'turning of the corpse' in Malagasy language.
The Famadihana is also an avenue for all relatives in different parts of the globe to come together, have family meetings and enjoy themselves by dancing with the dead. Yeah, that's the way it's done in Madagascar. The Roman Catholic Church has not opposed the tradition because it is classified as a strictly cultural matter.
Well, I think Nigerians too do a similar thing (Yiyi Eyin Oku Pada among the Yorubas) but there is no exhuming of dead bodies.
Returning the dead bodies.
Dancing in the cemetery. Exhumed corpses can be seen piled up on the ground by the left.
Lambamena is the name of the burial shroud.
Embracing the dead.
The ritual is quite expensive, new clothes must be bought, food and drinks must be provided, musicians are hired and new tombs may be built. Some go as far as borrowing thousands of dollars for the ceremony and end up being broke after. Lobatan!
However, not all Malagasy people believe this is proper. Some believe it is a waste of time and money.
But the tradition is decreasing as the price of the costly silk shrouds used in the burial is climbing and many are finding it difficult to finance it. But, for those with the cash, the tradition continues, and millions still follow the tradition. One Malagasy man says of the tradition:
It's important because it's our way of respecting the dead. It
is also a chance for the whole family, from across the
country, to come together.
Another says: “I am asking them for good health, and of
course if they would help me to accumulate wealth, this is
good also.”
It is a joyous atmosphere and crying is discouraged.
The belief is that he who does not bury his ancestor in a new
shroud is not just doomed but foolish and may suffer greatly
for it. So, in order to honour their dead and not face the
wrath of the gods, the Famadihana continues.
You can watch breath-taking videos of the Famadihana
here>>>>
Pix: Via New York Times.
IYANIWURA'S BLOG, THE PLACE TO KNOW.
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