I.C.E. Club – Madagascar

Often, winter is related to some events depending which country or city you live in. In Madagascar, this season carries out some of the most important moments in Malagasy people’s life. Thus, I’ll try here to enumerate them knowing that I may miss some (important) points so I’ll be glad if you notice that in your comments.
The most common thing in winter season is the cold and fortunately (or unfortunately depending on each one) it doesn’t snow here. Usually, it starts in the middle of May till August and in this span the weather looks like this, the mornings and nights are cold but the rest is sometimes pretty warm. It may also rain when you happen to live those damn days.

Independence day

The “Anjely Mainty” at the lake Anosy by Ariniaina

Madagascar got its Independence on June 26, 1960 right in Winter. Since my childhood I’ve associated this season to this important day. On June 25, everybody goes out to have a lanterns parade. Lamps of different colors come out with “jiro kapoka”, a can in which you put a candle and that usually little boys play with like they were driving bikes. And while you are eating maskita (barbecue) around Mahamasina, for you must fill your belly unless you want to have gas, there’s a chance that your ears get blown by the explosion of “tsipopoka”.
Eventually, the moment everybody’s waiting for comes, the Fireworks start, launched from the “Anjely mainty”, it lights the lake like a huge umbrella of thousands of mini lamps and gives it a incredible merge of colors.

Exams and winter break
Not very exciting for students, this period is the exams’ one. The time to put in question what you’ve learned all through out the school year. Actually, the state makes you sit for official exams.
It’s often the time where you have lots of chocolate and gifts to encourage you, wish you good luck and also where your mom is always on you saying “Are you ready, do you know your lessons, how about maths and sutff”, you know what I mean. Your nervous till the D-day, eager to be through with it and enjoy your more than deserved hollidays. The winter break is called “Grandes vacances” here and it marks the end of the school year.

Circumcision
The circumcision is among our tranditions – may be due to the fact that most of the Malagasy people are christian, and is practiced in winter, it is believed that injuries heal more quickly during this season (I think it may be true). Families queue up very early in the morning at the doctor’s door step. The little boys are wearing “malabary”, it’s a kind of robe made of Malagasy clothe, and most of the time accompanied by their father and uncles. Once the operation is finished they go back home and he will be rewarded with toys and congratulations for his courage and because he’s become a real man. This is an important event in a Malagasy family life that they celebrate with joy and happiness.