In Madagascar, Western culture prevails and continues to profoundly affect today’s Malagasy society. This is partly due to the increasing globalization process that can pressure some countries to forgo their cultural identity and values to go with the mainstream. Maintaining their own cultural values, nowadays, may seem rather out of the ordinary. However, what differs from one country to another is its cultural identity which is wrapped up in the country’s history.

In Madagascar, since the time of first inhabitants, a custom which consists in respecting elders and ancestors within the Malagasy society has come to exist. Historically speaking, the Malagasy society has had a hierarchical social structure based on kinship groups that are ranked according to their respective social status, either superior or inferior. Individuals in the group are then ranked according to their age, gender and descent. This social division following a hierarchical structure in the Malagasy society explains why elders and ancestors are of great significance and worth. The traditional Malagasy worldview is shaped by values that emphasize solidarity, which means “Fihavanana” in Malagasy, and “hasina”, which is known as a sacred life force. Ancestors or razana, who are highly venerated by Malagasy people are perceived as the source of “hasina”. For their “hasina”, ancestors are respected and are believed to be able to oversee, to protect and to influence events on earth. To honor their ancestors, Malagasy people organize a big funeral celebration and practice the “Famadihana” or exhumation.

It is also through that life-given power that many individuals and family groups are distributed. Back to the royal time, sovereigns and nobles were endowed with a greater level of hasina than others because they had higher social status and ruled over a territory allowing them to be more respected. Similarly, within family groups of any rank, elder people possess also greater hasina than the younger generations thanks both to their virtue in maturity and the Malagasy belief that these elders are close to the dead and thus share in part their power. Showing respect to the elders and ancestors in society has then become an essential part of the Malagasy culture, customs, and even education. Children, at their early age, are already taught and prepared to take their place in a social hierarchy dominated by community elders and the ancestors. In this system, the failure to honor the hierarchy may be considered a fady – something which is forbidden – or a punishable custom violation. For instance, in Malagasy households, it is forbidden for children to eat before their elders. The youngest must always be the last served.

Malagasy people have always been conservative towards honoring social values and perpetrating traditions. Holding onto these values made it easier for them to hierarchically organize their social system. However, with the world which is constantly evolving and many changes operating, holding a traditional perception may no longer be of a great help. Anyway, keeping one’s customs and cultural identity while following the flow of change remain the best solution.

Sources: Wild Madagascar / EDBM / World Nomads