MADAGASCAR-CIRCUMCISION FESTIVAL Madagascar's Antambahoaka people celebrate rite of passage with collective circumcision of boys

Record ID: 143582

  • Title: MADAGASCAR-CIRCUMCISION FESTIVAL Madagascar's Antambahoaka people celebrate rite of passage with collective circumcision of boys
  • Date: 19th August 2015
  • Summary: MANANJARY, MADAGASCAR (RECENT) (REUTERS) PEOPLE WASHING CLOTHES BY THE OCEAN SIGN READING MANANJARY BOY WALKING WITH A HERD OF GOATS VARIOUS OF WOMEN PERFORMING TRADITIONAL DANCING PEOPLE LOOKING ON VARIOUS OF WOMEN WEAVING VARIOUS OF WOMEN BRAIDING EACH OTHER'S HAIR (SOUNDBITE) (Malagasy) RANDRIANASOLO FANJANIRINA, VISITOR SAYING: "I am not from Mananjary, but my husband
  • Embargoed: 3rd September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Madagascar
  • Country: Madagascar
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA5AH1DF7H05463MLR2TQHSBE30
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Every seven years, the coastal town of Mananjary in southeast Madagascar transforms.
    Hundreds descend on the small town to take part in Sambatra - one the region's major cultural festivals, which is centered around the circumcision of young boys.
    Women sing and dance to commemorate the transition of their sons from youth to manhood.
    Celebrated by the Antambahoaka tribe, the ritual entails performing collective circumcision on all boys born seven years prior.
    The festival goes on for four weeks and is marked by various celebrations, but it's the last seven days that hold the most meaning.
    On the first day of the last week, members of the community wish one another good luck and the king meets the young boys' fathers.
    The second day kicks off when women in the community, led by the mothers of the boys, fetch 'sacred' water known as Betsa. The women then come back dancing and singing around the Tranobe - the house where the circumcision will be performed.
    On the third day, the women plait new mats that will be used in the house where the circumcision will take place.
    The practice of ritual circumcision is common amongst ethnic communities throughout Africa, but rarely do women take part.
    For the Sambatra, women play a major role in planning the many events surrounding the festival, which attracts visitors from across the country.
    "I am not from Mananjary, but my husband is and I respect their tradition because we have children," said Randrianasolo Fanjanirina, a visitor.
    Every task during Sambatra is considered important and taking part is a privilege for members of the community.
    "My duty is to make sure the women who come for to collect the reeds are lined up and know what is happening. I correct their mistakes, those are my duties," said one resident.
    Over the years the festivities' popularity have grown beyond borders and attracted visitors from around the world.
    "It's something I have only seen happen here and I am almost certain that it does not exist anywhere else, because the Sambatra is very special. With it, you have a cultural diamond, one that you must preserve," said German anthropologist Ingo Wallner.
    "We managed to raise up to 300 USD, specifically for Sambatra. That money allowed us to be able to buy a cow, as well as being able to get some traditional outfits made," said one visitor Nicole.
    When festivities reach the fourth day, young men are sent out at midnight to find a sacred tree called Ramiavona, which according to tradition can only be found by someone who respects it.
    On their return the boys are given a rousing welcome and proceed to put sugarcane found at the sacred tree in the house where they will be circumcised.
    For many of the community members, the highlight of the festival comes on the sixth day when people who have been gathered outside the Tranobe are allowed to enter as the King dances around the house.
    Cows are then slaughtered and the young boys are positioned in front of them to symbolise that they have now become children of the Tranobe.
    "A young circumcised boy during Sambatra is considered a man. He will be able to take on tasks that are for men, like slaughtering chicken and cows," said one father, Jean Erico Berthos, whose son was being circumcised.
    Circumcision then takes place at sunset.
    On the seventh day, to mark the end of the festival people wish each other well and return to their regular lives.
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