Fihavanana: Ancestral philosophy, backbone of Malagasy society

In this very short article, I will attempt to present the fihavanana without quoting sociologist experts and share the perspective of a Malagasy on the society in which they live. Foreigners may sometimes be surprised by this cultural trait that governs Malagasy society. The spirit of family, the sense of community and mutual aid, the prioritization of peace and unity, the subordination of the individual to the collective…

Family

The word "fihavanana" has the root word "havana," meaning "from the family." Simply put, it is about considering everyone as a member of your family and acting accordingly. For the Malagasy, family is very important. This may not seem special, but in Madagascar, even a third cousin or the granddaughter of your grandfather's cousin is considered family, and you have obligations toward them. If they can afford it, you might be invited to their wedding or their son's circumcision, for example. It is particularly interesting for a foreigner visiting Madagascar to attend a family celebration, such as a fanaterana vodiondry (traditional wedding considered as engagement), a religious wedding, a famadihana (the turning of the dead), etc. These traditions are common to all Malagasy people, whether in the highlands, the South, or the North…

Community and mutual aid

Even if some people dislike each other in a village, outwardly, everyone acts with each other as if they were family members. When important work needs to be done, everyone pitches in: rice paddy work, the construction of a tomb (carrying stone blocks), building or repairing a house, etc. However, nowadays, as society has modernized and absorbed Western culture, these practices are no longer seen in large cities. Yet, some traditions remain, particularly the famangiana manamanjoa. The word famangiana means "to visit someone," and it applies in various circumstances, but here, it refers to visiting to offer condolences to someone who has lost a loved one. Family members, acquaintances, and the entire village take turns visiting the bereaved family to "offer words of comfort" and money.

Peace and unity

If we were to create a slogan for the fihavanana, I would propose: "The collective comes first." No one wishes to stand out from the others, and everyone tries to blend into the community. Conduct, speech, and decisions must all align with societal norms. In case of conflict, an effort is made to find the marimaritra iraisana (a consensus). If the solution or measures to be taken do not have unanimous support and might cause conflict, the problem is simply forgotten, dismissed, or the search for a solution postponed. Peace and unity are prioritized above all else. This may not be what we observe today given the political crises and endless protests, but these episodes are merely instigated by politicians fighting for power. The majority of the people are not even concerned.