Culture

Hira Gasy

Like most cultural aspects of the country, Hira Gasy is totally unique to Madagascar. It's a traditional form of Malagasy entertainment that is said to have existed since 1789, and the rule of King Andrianampoinimerina. This king provided his people with farming tools and techniques so they would be able to feed themselves in times of famine or times of plenty; and mpikabary (orators) went to perform for them (including singers and dancers) to entertain them. The practice of Hira Gasy has been popular ever since to give thanks to their kings.

What Happens at a Hira Gasy performance?

Today, a Hira Gasy performance consists of several themes; each theme is made up of five phases, like Sasitehaka (a prelude, usually about ten minutes long). The main part of the Hira Gasy is the Renihira, which introduces the main theme of the performance. The themes can be about farming, social issues, weddings, or even trade. The songs linked to this theme can last for an hour our more.

Today, many influences are adopted in the Hira Gasy, like the red uniforms worn by the French during their colonization of the island. Hira Gasy is sometimes staged during sacred ceremonies; these include Famadihana (the exhumation of the dead for reburial), the circumcision ceremony for one to seven year olds and other important events.

Sometimes performances are also put on for tourists although these are often only for tour groups. For locals, Hira Gasy is done for public entertainment too, and in small towns and villages you may stumble across a traditional performance.

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

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.