Rédaction Africa Links 24 with lexpress
Published on 2024-03-11 02:43:00
The Malagasy New Year, Taom-baovao Malagasy, was inaugurated in grand style yesterday at the Kianja Masoandro of Rovan’i Madagasikara. The event was marked by inspiring speeches.
Yesterday evening, in a traditional atmosphere, the Malagasy New Year was inaugurated at the Kianja Masoandro of Rovan’i Madagasikara. The ceremony began with the ancestral ritual of sharing the “Afo tsy maty,” marking the start of the festivities that will continue until today. “Let us restore the sacredness of Madagascar’s history through solidarity and purification,” said the Minister of Communication and Culture, Augustin Andriamananoro.
The Malagasy New Year is a celebration full of symbolism, starting with the lighting of the “Afo tsy maty” to purify and renew energies. It continues with a series of rituals aimed at driving away evil spirits and attracting prosperity for the new year. The opening evening was enriched with inspiring speeches, including that of Princess Fenosoa Ralandison Ratsimamanga and the representative of the urban municipality of Antananarivo, Richard Ramanambitana, President of the special delegation. Guests also had the pleasure of enjoying traditional dance and song performances by the talented “Mpianatra Avaradrova.”
The ritual began with a solemn prayer invoking the blessing of God and ancestors, before the Minister of Communication and Culture lit the “Afo tsy maty,” accompanied by tradition keepers. The fire was shared with the present participants who prepared to take the fire home. The Malagasy New Year is celebrated in sacred places in the 23 regions of Madagascar, as well as in the sacred hills of Imerina, such as Rovan’i Madagasikara, Ambohitrabiby, Ambohidratrimo, and Antongona. Representatives of the twelve sacred hills and tradition keepers, such as the Trano kolotoraly malagasy and Zanadranavalona Anosimanjaka, were all present to perpetuate ancestral customs. Today, the festivities continue with the ritual of “Vary amin-dronono tondrahan-tantely” in the “Tatao,” a blessing and celebration ceremony that will take place in various sacred places across the country.
Nicole Rafalimananjara
Read the original article(French) on lexpress.mg
