© RFI/Sarah Tetaud
Lanterns on the market of Analakely, in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.
On June 26, 1960, the Big Island regained its sovereignty following more than half a century of French colonization. While for the past two years, the coronavirus pandemic has prevented the usual festivities and popular jubilation, this year rallies, concerts, fairs are on the program. A celebration of the return to Independence which begins the evening before with the tradition of the harendrina where adults and children go out in the streets wearing paper lanterns.
From our correspondent in Madagascar,
With multicolored flowers or rosettes but above all white, red and green, in the colors of the flag of Madagascar, the harendrina illuminated, with fireworks, the districts of the center of the capital. A ritual that Santatra and Faraniaina never miss
« Me and my little family, we are here with Malagasy lanterns or “harendrina”. It is precisely to honor the ancestors who fought for independence. It’s for the souls of the people we lost », explains Santatra. « If we don’t pass this story on to each other, we lose what makes our identity, what makes us Malagasy », continues Faraniaina.
The streets of the heart of Antananarivo have been invaded by the inhabitants. A moving moment of transmission and union as daily life has been punctuated in recent weeks by the increase in the price of basic necessities, believes Borel.
« It is the pride of all Malagasy people. It’s party. All the streets are crowded. Everyone goes out with their family and the lanterns and we are there to show our cohesion. It’s time to raise our torch, the national pennant because Madagascar is an independent country historically but independence also comes from each of us, to show that we are independent mentally, physically. It’s time to show who we are historically and to celebrate the country with love. »
The celebrations continue with in particular the speech of the Malagasy Head of State and the military parade. The independence acquired on June 26, 1960 also marks the constitution of the Malagasy army.
