The "FAMADIHANA" (the exhumation or the bones returning)

Glossary :
FAMADIHANA : Exhumation or bones returning
FANAHY : Soul or spirit
KABARY : Traditional malagasy speech
LAMBAMENA : hand woven silk clothes; shroud
MPIHIRA GASY : group of traditional malagasy musicians and singers
RAZANA : Ancestos; dead person or his/her bones
SAO-DRAZANA : Synmbolic contribution (money) given by the guests
TSIMISARA MIANAKAVY : united family
ZANAHARY : God

DESCRIPTION :
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.

PERSONAL OPINION
It is great to find how wise the Malagasy ancestors were through this custom, which is the FAMADIHANA. It could not be denied that the Malagasy have always appreciated good relationship in their societies especially among the family members. That is why they are so peaceful and amiable and try to preserve the unification and solidarity in the family through tolerance and reconciliation.
To maintain peace, it is then important to maintain what God and Ancestors value most : Good relationship for a better society in order to prevail peace in the world. Good relationship all the time and with everyone, both dead and alive.
Thus I hope this kind of custom would be respected and perpetuated.

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