The Turning of the Bones (Famadihana)
This week we experienced the Malagasy tradition of Famadihana, also called the turning of the bones. The Malagasy believe that when their ancestors die, they acquire great power and become mediators between the living family members and God. The living spend their lives trying to appease these ancestors in order to acquire blessings. The Famadihana is one of the most prominent parts of Malagasy culture, and it openly shows their spiritual belief system. On Friday we were able to observe most of a Famadihana. We would like to share with you what we experienced.
Friday morning we drove out into the country side to a small town. We walked to a house where there were about 100 people hanging out on the lawn. There were hired musicians playing flutelike instruments and drums. The music sounded as if we were in the civil war about to go into battle. In the center of the lawn a few people were dancing to the music, but most people just stood around and talked. A group of ladies were preparing lunch for everyone (rice and vegetables) and children were playing off in the distance. There was a table in the yard, with a casket wrapped with a cloth laying on top. The people spent the morning drinking alcohol and visiting with one another. The Famadihana is held every few years (1-7 yrs), and always on an odd year (even years are bad). Family comes from all over to celebrate, so it becomes the family reunion. They use this time to catch up on life.
The casket in the yard was brought from faraway to be buried with the other ancestors in the family tomb. This particular ancestor died 3 years ago. After the food was prepared (at about 12:00), the family sat on the ground and were served their food. The family ate in groups, as there were too many to serve at one time. In order to get the food, the family and friends are required to pay money and sign a book. It is almost like a business.
After everyone finished eating, the group proceeded to hike to the family tomb. It was about a 30 minute walk. The new addition to the tomb led the way, being carried by several men who danced vivaciously to the music that followed the crowd.
When we arrived at the tomb, which looked like a giant pile of dirt, they began to dig out the door. This took about 30 minutes and people took the time to dance and drink. We were told that the people believe that drinking alcohol and dancing causes the ancestors to act out through you.
After a long speech was given detailing who was in the tomb (about 16 at this particular Famadihana), the door to the tomb was open. With music playing they brought out the corpses on mats and paraded them in the air. Many people clung to the bones and weeped, while others danced with happiness. Many of the bodies were so old, that the remains were few. The bodies were laid out on the ground and new clothes were laid over them. The people poured various drinks in the mouths of the corpses (mostly alcohol, but soda too). After this they would continue on to wrap their ancestors with new silk cloth and return them to the tomb.
It was quite an experience, to say the least. We were so sad to see how Satan has used their ancestors to keep them from knowing the one, true God. Satan has such a stronghold over this nation. Fortunately, we had several opportunities to share Jesus during the day. The Malagasy children spent the morning following us around, and so we took the opportunity to share with them about Jesus and His love for us. I don't know how much they understood, but there were plenty of adults surrounding us, listening. We also had a great opportunity to talk to a young girl, when in the middle of the corpses being brought from the tomb, she asked what we believed about Famadihana. It was difficult to talk a lot, as people were giving us angry looks, but we were able to tell her about the only mediator, Jesus Christ.
Please pray that God would work in the life of the Malagasy people. Pray that their eyes would be opened to the only God.
Below is a few video clips from our day. To see a slideshow of pictures from the day, scroll to the bottom of the page.
Friday morning we drove out into the country side to a small town. We walked to a house where there were about 100 people hanging out on the lawn. There were hired musicians playing flutelike instruments and drums. The music sounded as if we were in the civil war about to go into battle. In the center of the lawn a few people were dancing to the music, but most people just stood around and talked. A group of ladies were preparing lunch for everyone (rice and vegetables) and children were playing off in the distance. There was a table in the yard, with a casket wrapped with a cloth laying on top. The people spent the morning drinking alcohol and visiting with one another. The Famadihana is held every few years (1-7 yrs), and always on an odd year (even years are bad). Family comes from all over to celebrate, so it becomes the family reunion. They use this time to catch up on life.
The casket in the yard was brought from faraway to be buried with the other ancestors in the family tomb. This particular ancestor died 3 years ago. After the food was prepared (at about 12:00), the family sat on the ground and were served their food. The family ate in groups, as there were too many to serve at one time. In order to get the food, the family and friends are required to pay money and sign a book. It is almost like a business.
After everyone finished eating, the group proceeded to hike to the family tomb. It was about a 30 minute walk. The new addition to the tomb led the way, being carried by several men who danced vivaciously to the music that followed the crowd.
When we arrived at the tomb, which looked like a giant pile of dirt, they began to dig out the door. This took about 30 minutes and people took the time to dance and drink. We were told that the people believe that drinking alcohol and dancing causes the ancestors to act out through you.
After a long speech was given detailing who was in the tomb (about 16 at this particular Famadihana), the door to the tomb was open. With music playing they brought out the corpses on mats and paraded them in the air. Many people clung to the bones and weeped, while others danced with happiness. Many of the bodies were so old, that the remains were few. The bodies were laid out on the ground and new clothes were laid over them. The people poured various drinks in the mouths of the corpses (mostly alcohol, but soda too). After this they would continue on to wrap their ancestors with new silk cloth and return them to the tomb.
It was quite an experience, to say the least. We were so sad to see how Satan has used their ancestors to keep them from knowing the one, true God. Satan has such a stronghold over this nation. Fortunately, we had several opportunities to share Jesus during the day. The Malagasy children spent the morning following us around, and so we took the opportunity to share with them about Jesus and His love for us. I don't know how much they understood, but there were plenty of adults surrounding us, listening. We also had a great opportunity to talk to a young girl, when in the middle of the corpses being brought from the tomb, she asked what we believed about Famadihana. It was difficult to talk a lot, as people were giving us angry looks, but we were able to tell her about the only mediator, Jesus Christ.
Please pray that God would work in the life of the Malagasy people. Pray that their eyes would be opened to the only God.
Below is a few video clips from our day. To see a slideshow of pictures from the day, scroll to the bottom of the page.
Comments