Malagasy Famadihana — Turning of the Bones
190.13 $
A Malagasy family at a Famadihana ceremony in the Merina highlands of Madagascar — rewrapping their ancestors’ remains in fresh lamba mena silk, dancing with the bundled remains in the traditional expression of continued family connection.
Description
The Famadihana (turning of the bones) is a Merina and Betsileo cultural practice of Madagascar in which family remains are periodically exhumed, rewrapped in fresh silk cloth, and celebrated through feasting and dancing — an expression of the belief that the relationship between the living and dead remains active until full bodily decomposition.
This documentary image was made at a Famadihana in the Antsirabe region with family permission, the ceremony in full activity: family members are holding the wrapped remains of their ancestors and dancing in the distinctive Famadihana shuffle around the family tomb. The white lamba mena silk wrappings contrast with the bright clothing of the living family members, and the joy of the celebration — which is genuinely celebratory, not mournful — is visible in the participants’ expressions. Shot at f/2.8 on a 35mm prime in the available highland daylight.
