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SANTA-BARY or PETRA –DANGO
First products of agriculture, thanksgiving to ancestors for the harvest, offerings. The first green ears of rice and sheaves of ripe ears, feasts, sacrifices of animals, food and drinks. Celebrated in the Betsimisaraka region.

SANTA BARY
First products of agriculture, thanksgiving to ancestors for the harvest, alcohol offerings. The ceremonies are held in the rice fields Sihanaka Ambatondrazaka.

JORO VINANY
Tribute to the victims of the popular movement in1947, dredging of the river mouth where the bodies of the victims were thrown. Bestimisaraka, Andovoranto, Bricaville.

TSABO RAHA
Supplication of the ancestors’ blessing upon the descendants’ birth, circumcision, exhumation of the dead (ati-damba), a new home after widowhood,the construcion of a new grave, thanksgiving for a fulfilled vow.Sacrifice of zebus, beverages. Faritany:Toamasina.

In the North of the Bestsimisaraka region, whose grave lies in the middle of a vast arable land, the family heir asks for the dead blessing and permission to work the surrounding land. The family organises banquets and celebrations by killing from 3 to 6 zebus.

TODYTRANOMANARA or DIFY TRANOMAMARA
Strenghthening of family ties, maintenance of a newly-built tomb when the tomb is occupied. Region: North and South Betsimisaraka.

FAMOHAN-JAZA ANDOHAN’OMBY or TODY SAOTRA
Rite before male circumciskon or girls’ ear pearcing: a child is made passed over the head of a zebu; songs and dances and sacrifices of zebus. Ambatondrazaka.Toamasina province. In Sihanaka region, boys’ circumcision and girls’ perforation of ears is not allowed before a child is being passed over the head of a zebu, as is customary. These are the rites of Famohan-jaza andohan’omby. Songs, dances and traditional Sihanaka l performances take place for the following three days.

JORO ORANA or JORO ASARABE or ASARABE ALAKAOSY or JORO VAVARANO
Supplication for blessing for a better rainy season and more abundant harvest: three days of collective festivities , sacrifice of a cow and white geese, offerings of alcohol, coins, honey; lucky days: monday and friday. Sihanaka Aloatra. Region of Aloatra lake.
Joro Orana, Asarabe Alakaosy,Joro Asarabe: differerent names according to the regions where only one tradition is practised and followed by Sinaka farmers on the banks of lake Alaotra. The aim of the ceremony is the plea for the gods’ and ancestors’ blessing in order to ensure a rainy season to the region, consequently a plentiful harvest. A zebu is sacrificed (joro) as an offering. It is the occasion for collective celebrations that may last even for three days.

SAMBATRA
Circoncision of male child in the South-Eastern region of the island. Children’s blessing, strenghtening of family ties. Collecting of elements for the new enclosure of Feraomby. Rebuilding of th fencing, sa crifice of a zebu wearing a special vest.Sprinkling with holy water, eating the meat of the sacrificed zebu.

MALALA
Prayer for gods’ protection against bad weather for a better harvest. Beginning of rainy season. Poultry sacrifice. Ceremony taking place among the Betsimisaraka in the South, Toamasina province.

JORO TANANA
Reoccupation of an abandoned ancestors’ village. Sacrifice of zebus. North- western coast in the Toamasina province.

ZARA-FIHIHANANA
Tribute to Tromba (possesion rite). One day ceremony. Sessions of possesion rites. Dances, music, feasts. It takes place in Brickaville.