Fun and festivities in Madagascar - celebrations, festivals and cultural events

Both famous worldwide holidays and unique local holidays are celebrated in Madagascar. There are many Christians on the island. Easter, Christmas, New Year – all these and many other typical holidays are popular here. On Christmas, the Malagasy visit their friends and relatives and make gifts to each other. One day before the holiday, colorful fair trades appear on main streets of large cities. Easter has similar celebrations, including gifts and festive outdoor activities. Local New Year is called Alahamadi Be and is celebrated in March. It is the traditional time for various concerts, shows, and fireworks.

Of course, there are authentic local celebrations that tourists can find only in Madagascar. Famadihana is one of them. This is one of the main religious holidays on the island. It has its roots in the ancient ancestry cult that is widespread on the islands of the country. Famadihana ceremonies take place from June to September. Local people remove the remains of their ancestors from family crypts, take care of them, show them to their friends, put on new burial cloths, and put the remains back into crypts. Ritual dancing and other activities are an essential part of this celebration.

African Freedom Day and Republic Day are important public holidays in Madagascar. They are also impossible to imagine without festive processions, street performances, carnivals, and concerts. Martyrs Day, which is celebrated on March 29, is one more important holiday. On this day, in 1947, people of Madagascar joined a rebellion against French occupants. Many people died, and the rebellion was crushed next year. However, March 29 marked the start of the movement of Madagascar and its people towards independence. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Ceremony of washing relics of the kings of Buena is an ancient ritual that has its roots in Malagasy history. This annual ritual takes place in Mahajanga port on July 14. Saint Vincent Memorial Day is another important holiday for Malagasy people. The saint protected the poor, sick, and imprisoned. On November 1st, Madagascar celebrates one more holiday dedicated to ancestors – All Saints’ Day. Local people usually visit graves of their deceased relatives on this day or do other rituals in their memory.

Do you like music? If yes, it is always a good idea to visit the Donia Music Festival that takes place at the beginning of June every year. This is a wonderful music event that is a combination of different styles and genres. The Hira Gasy Festival is a no less interesting event. This festival is a fabulous mix of music, poetry, and theatrical art. Having visited this festival, tourists can learn more about Malagasy culture and spend some quality time. Guests of Madagascar keen on theatre will also find it interesting to visit Hira Gasy Theater that regularly hosts mini-festivals, celebrations, and firework shows.

Madajazzcar Music Festival deserves a separate mention. The name of the event mentions a specific music style that it is dedicated to. Madajazzcar is one of the biggest music festivals on the continent. It is an international event that lasts two weeks in October. Jazz musicians from all over the world come to Madajazzcar. By the way, it is possible to see international celebrities among both performers and visitors to the festival. Music concerts, workshops, performances, film screenings – the festival covers several spheres and will hardly leave anyone indifferent.