Is the ‘festival’ of the dead still commemorated? Perhaps, but it is no longer as ‘lavish’ as in the past. Poverty has eroded what remained of dignity towards the ‘razana’ (ancestors).
For some time now, we have been accustomed to reading on death notices the phrase ‘no flowers, no wreaths’. Simply because grieving families consider these unnecessary expenses, and that ‘fao-dranomaso’ (monetary contributions) are sufficient to help organize the funeral. This remains relevant, even if we see it less often. With technology, death notices are now posted on social media, and everyone understands.
Social media simplifies many things, as condolences are also offered through the same channel. One can even send ‘famangiana’ (funeral offerings) via mobile money. Given traffic difficulties, travel time, fuel costs, and the insecurity lurking everywhere, everything is done ‘online’. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the legendary family solidarity of our society has taken a hit. Burials are held in ‘strict privacy’, as they say, due to confinement. From this, a habit has emerged that has erased traditions and mortgaged the ‘fihavanana’ (social bond). An entire identity is threatened with disappearance.
This is not the case for the moment. However, and more seriously, many families no longer have their ‘razana’. Not because they were born illegitimate, but simply because human bone thieves have ‘raided’ their tombs. They took everything, leaving only the bodies buried recently.
We thought this only happened to others, but no one is safe. In the beginning, in the 90s, only tombs in remote rural areas were desecrated, but as demand increased, other ‘deposits’ had to be found. Now, for those who have been victims of these thugs, the famous formula has been parodied. We now say ‘without body, nor shroud’.
The tragedy is that no investigation has yielded results for over thirty years. Thieves have been caught red-handed, but it is unknown if they were imprisoned or released. The fact is that the scourge continues and is gaining momentum. While rape of minors, gender-based violence, and trafficking of gold and natural resources have necessitated changes to the penal code, no regime has deemed it necessary to take appropriate measures to curb this evil. Worse, the trafficking has extended to certain African countries. The matter is taking on an international dimension. For now, we have not heard that human bones from Madagascar are of better quality to be bought at a premium.
The only consolation, in this case, is to know that, perhaps, the ‘razana’ have traveled the world posthumously. The theft of bones revives the debate on the popular belief that the dead watch over the living. Doubt is permitted.
Captured & Published at: 2026-11-02 05:39:14 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/11/ni-corps-ni-linceul.html