Featured image: Parade on 26th June 1960 in honour of Madagascar's independence, Antananarivo, Madagascar - Photo: Polaert via Creative Commons
What is 26th June? What usually happens on 26th June?
26th June is a very important date in Madagascar history. But funny enough, when I was a kid, I placed much importance on 25th June because everything that happened on 26th was too serious for my taste.
On 26th June, years ago, there were parades in different places in the whole Madagascar. There were also long speeches given by political figures including the president of Madagascar. And we had to watch and listen to them because Mom said so: “It’s important and it’s history!”
The topic of the speech often focuses on inciting Malagasy people to be united, and to do their duties as citizens. It’s also mentioned during the speech the need for change (in order to tackle poverty), how our ancestors fought for our independence, and without forgetting the national anthem, ‘Ry Tanindrazanay Malala ô!’ (Oh, Beloved Land of Our Ancestors!).
Indeed, 26th June is our Independence Day. It’s a big day!
And Madagascar got it in 1960 after being colonised by France for 64 years (if my math is correct).
When I was young, I didn’t mind watching the parade. It was actually nice to see the Army, the Police Force, the Marines, and many more marching with their weapons and accoutrement. I loved the different uniforms and the seriousness of their faces especially when they passed by the President. It was fun to watch. Well, only that part was fun to watch.
In Madagascar, a few weeks prior to the D-Day, we have our flag up at our house. Our flag is white, red, and green.
Each household has a flag either at the roof, at the door, or at the veranda of their house for the whole month of June. Public places and buildings have flags up as well for display. Our markets are decorated with flags of different sizes for sale. It’s really colourful, and without forgetting the lanterns which are of different shapes, forms, and colours.
And the day before the Independence Day, (Well!) the night of 25th June, we prepare ourselves for the big day. That’s how I see it now, but before, I would just say that the real fun began on 25th.
So, what do we usually do?
We go out with the adults at night with our lanterns. Some of us may have smaller lanterns, even as small as a little lunch bag while the others have bigger ones. Some even have the biggest, probably twice or even three times the size of a basket ball. But we leave them to those who have a good hand grip because, when it’s windy, it’s quite hard to hold the handle especially with the candle lit inside the lantern. We go to the neighbouring areas or to the market.
Before I moved to my village, I used to live in a kind of compound which was situated along Ikopa River. There were about 10 houses in that compound. And every 25th June at nighttime, all the lights were off so that our lanterns could stand out in the dark. And they really did stand out. They were beautiful, colourful, and diverse.
We did a kind of procession around the estate as there were hardly any houses around back then except for a few industrial buildings. We also sang “Arendrina taratasy o! May! May! May!” (“Paper lanterns! Burn! Burn! Burn!”). When we finished our procession, we gathered around a bonfire. I don’t remember exactly how it got there in the middle of a parking slot in our compound, but all I remember was that the fire was already wild when we got there.
Some of us were singing songs while the others were playing with their handmade firecrackers. I can’t tell you exactly what they are made of and how we made them. All I can say is that we used parts we saw here and there to make them loud.
When it was late at night, there were fireworks which lasted about 30 to 40 minutes. Then we went home and got ready for 26th June.
And that was my celebration of our Independence Day (Eve) as a kid.
By L.
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