MY SECOND BLOG ENTRY

All cultures of Malagasy people can be found in Antananarivo. First of all, food is considered to be the link that strengthens and enhances the belief of the Malagasy. To give more point about the relation between culture and food, each ceremony is specified by a specific food. In Antananarivo, like in other region in Madagascar, giving the lower part of an animal is a sign of respect for the aged persons. During a wedding ceremony, the man’s family must give the lower part of a sheep called “Vodiondry” to the girl’s parents. This is a gesture of respect and to honor the parents of the girl. Furthermore, if the man’s family doesn't give the lower part of the sheep, the girl’s family can decide to give or not the hand of the girl. In this situation, the wedding can be canceled. Nowadays, because of globalization, this custom has been replaced by money.  Another case, during a meal the lower part of the chicken should be given to the most elderly person. This is a sign of respect and honor.

After that, the guests play an important role in Malagasy’s ceremony. If the hosts give a lot of satisfaction to the guest, the satisfaction becomes a blessing for the host. As an example, during an exhumation ceremony, the family of the person dead must give rice with meat called “vary be menaka” to all of people who are attending the ceremony.


After that, in Antananarivo, there is a ceremony called “Ala-volon-jaza” during the first cut hair of a baby. The hair are scattered on top of all food prepared by the parents of the baby. After that, all of women who never had baby must eat these foods and believe that this will bless them to have children in their turn. Another ceremony, during a circumcision, the grandfather must eat the foreskin of the boy with bananas. Malagasy people believe that the little boy becomes a man after this gesture.

The last, the food is very important for Malagasy’s culture. Malagasy people believe that giving food is the best way to show that all of Malagasy and the ancestor are connected. On the other hand, Malagasy people believe both in God and ancestors. The ancestor are the second God of Malagasy called “Razana”. According to Malagasy's believe, when someone is dead, this person becomes an ancestor after six months. Malagasy people tend to ask something to the ancestor rather than God. No wishes can be realized without giving food to the ancestor. In this case, people must give alcohol, candy and many different foods for the ancestor. They must put the food and the alcohol on top of the tomb. No one can touch these foods and after that, people have to wait for the ancestor’s blessing. Nowadays, most of these customs are still observed by the Merina tribe who lives in Antananarivo.

MY FIRST BLOG ENTRY

Hello, my name is RAZANAMALALA Sambatra Olivia. I'm from Antananarivo and I was born in Tsiroanomandidy, a village among the region of Antananarivo. I'm a student at the University of

Antsiranana and I study English American subject. I like food very much so I decided to learn more about the relation between food and culture in Antananarivo and also in another countries in Madagascar.

 Situated in the center of the island, Antananarivo is the most largest city and the capital of Madagascar. People in Antananarivo use Malagasy official language. Antananarivo is inhabited by tribe called "Merina". Nowadays, because of emigration, all of tribes and ethnics existing in Madagascar can be seen in Antananarivo. In Madagascar, the food take an important place concerning the Malagasy's culture. Each food have their own meaning. They are eaten during a specific ceremonies and another activities in the goal to respect the relation existing between culture and food. This culture was made by the ancestor and untill now it is followed by some ethnics and tribes in Madagascar.