Madagascar’s Ancestor Dance

The Malagasy people of Madagascar practice a tradition that involves removing the bodies of their deceased loved ones from family crypts every seven years, wrapping them in fresh shrouds, and writing their names on their shrouds to ensure that they will not be forgotten. They dance carrying the freshly wrapped remains before returning them to their resting place. Malagasy people often look forward to these events, which are not just sombre, but also an occasion for extended families to come together to spend some quality time.