Festive Celebrations in Madagascar

Whilst we all enjoy Christmas in our various forms, we thought it would be interesting to share with you how our Malagasy friends celebrate the festive season. Although about 41% of Malagasy are Christians, they still devoutly carry out traditional practices, such as animist and ancestor practices. In Madagascar, Christmas is a time of religion and faith, with many more people attending church during Christmas than on Sundays.

For those that can afford it, a lot of money is spent on purchasing toys for children, nice clothes to celebrate in and lavish food to enjoy in large groups. The meal is normally Chicken or Pork with rice, followed by a special cake. Fresh Lychees are available on the trees and from shops and street sellers. Streets get covered in lychee skins. Pine is not a native tree to Madagascar, and whilst some can be bought in the capital, the government discourages this, since deforestation is a major environmental issue.

Santa Claus is known as "Dadabe Noely" or "Grandfather Christmas", and is much thinner than our rotund Father Christmas, although he also wears a red outfit. Rather than leaving toys for all the children, Dadabe Noely brings hard candies. Very little Christmas programming occurs before Christmas - yet Christmas programs can stretch all the way through to Easter, with caroling also being performed during Easter at midnight.

Most people attend church on Christmas Eve, and the services start in the early evening, and last until after midnight, with children performing nativity plays and singing until the end of the service.
Candy and biscuits are also distributed to children after the services on Christmas eve and Christmas day.

Similar to our western celebrations, Christmas Eve is all about the children, however it largely involves children singing their hearts out from early in the evening and continuing midnight, without a break in the singing. Even children as young as three take part. Christmas Day worship is filled with many special events, particularly baptisms (up to 100 in just one church on Christmas day), as well as confirmations, whilst Holy Communion is more likely to be celebrated the following day.

The greeting "Tratry ny Krismasy" - "be caught by Christmas!" reflects the Malagasy understanding of time. It sort of sneaks up on you and catches you. If you are "caught," you are still here. The response to "Tratry ny Krismasy" is "Samy ho tratry ny ho avy isika" - "May we all be caught by the next one."

For Malagasy tradition, the New Years event is more important than Christmas because it's a special day dedicated to family visits. Children must travel to their parents' home to give money or a special Malagasy present called "solombodiakoho". This is a very traditional Malagasy custom which means "the back of the chicken". It is also the time to visit family and one's elders, particularly the important people in your life like the pastor, civic leaders, school authorities etc. A prayer and greeting is offered - religious people may offer a small sermon about God's grace to the pastor, and of course, a live chicken for the elder's dinner is offered as a gift.

In Antananarivo, Independence Avenue is filled with people celebrating the New Year, and many parties are held with lights, drinking & merriment.

'Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year' in Malagasy is 'Mirary Krismasy sambatra sy Taona vaovao tonga lafatra ho anao'.
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Treat your someone special to a Romantic Getaway

After a very long 2009, you may be looking to get away from all the chaos at home and escape to a romantic destination. Just the two of you, the warm ocean, good food and an idyllic setting.

Anjajavy Hotel is an exceptionally romantic place - set on a remote and enchanted peninsula on the northwest coast of Madagascar, the hotel sits on a sandy beach, beside azure waters and is encircled by a fabulous forest reserve.

Spend five nights in this exotic and magical setting, and let the stresses of 2009 fall away. With activities such as massages, sailing, water-skiing, fishing, snorkelling, wildlife viewing, cave and village visits, you are sure to relax quickly and enjoy your stay to the fullest.

An 8-day package is priced from EUR 1825 per person sharing, inclusive of 5 nights at the luxury Anjajavy resort on a full board basis, and 2 nights 4* accommodation in Antananarivo. Email us to secure your place on this romantic getaway...
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Dancing through Life - Madagascar

What does a middle aged guy do after quitting his job of 23 years? Travel the world and Dance Thru Life! Here's a dance video of his two-week stay in Madagascar (the worlds 4th largest island near South Africa). This funny video starts in Paris and takes you through Madagascar and even includes a special dance with some lemurs... It's a fabulous video clip and a great laugh, hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Click on the image or here to take you to YouTube to watch it...
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The Sky Roots - Baobab's Article

Baobabs are fascinating trees oddly shaped and found in selected areas one being Madagascar. Read this article by Francois de Maroussem, taken & edited from "Constance Hotel Experience (SILENCE no. 16 November 2008), the whole baobab article can be found on our blog.

"The west of Madagascar offers imposing landscapes which are the real symbols of the island: the Baobab alley of Morondava (or of the Menabe: ancient Sakalava kingdom of the red island) and the famous Tsingy of Bemaraha, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1990. The Baobabs (Adansonia) are giants with bulbous trunks, which store in their spongy tissues water to "hod" during the dry season. Of the nine species registered in the world, seven are endemic to Madagascar, one to the whole of Africa and Madagascar and one to Australia, resulting from the explosion of the Gondwana."

"It is at sunrise and sunset, in winter, that their shapes are the most striking, with their huge pink trunks and the branches without leaves looking like roots. Madagascar is the country of legends and during the winter months the following story of the baobabs is told in the Renala huts: Andriamanitra (the great creator) could not face the arrogance of these giants and therefore uprooted them and re-planted them upside down... hence, their name of "Roots of the Sky."

"Ten years ago, the Tsingy of Bemaraha could not be reached and have only been opened to the public since 1998. They definitely are a "must" for travellers, ecologist globetrotters, amateur or experienced naturalists..."

To read the entire article please click here and don't forget to leave a comment and let us know what you think.
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Akoho misy Sakamalao - Chicken with Garlic and Ginger

If you favour cuisine with a heavy hint of garlic and ginger, you'll love this traditional Madagascan recipe! This recipe creates the perfect holiday meal that is completely different, making you feel as though you have turned your kitchen into a Madagascan cooking delight!

Ingredients: (serves five to six)
One chicken cut into pieces (remove the skin if you prefer)
2-inch / 6cm piece fresh ginger root peeled and grated or crushed
6 cloves garlic, finely minced or crushed

Method:
Rub the ginger and garlic into the chicken. Sprinkle the chicken with a little salt.
Place a small amount of oil in a large frying pan and gently cook chicken on low heat until done, about 40 minutes. Test to make sure chicken is thoroughly cooked.
Serve with cooked rice, which is a staple food in Madagascar.

If you have any better recipes then please let us know info@jenmansafaris.com
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