Hello! This is a big research I’ve been experienced that I'm going to share to you about "Tsangantsaina or Mast Erection in Antankarana tribes". Antankarana is name of the tribes which means "anta" is "tribes" and "harana" is "white coral rocks". So, Antankarana means "people of the white coral rocks". They are mixed African, Arab ancestry and Austronesian. Geographically, the place of Tsangatsaina is situated in the North of Madagascar. The border limits of Antankarana in the East are SAVA region, in the North is Bobaomby, in South is Ambanja and in the West is Nosy Mitsiho. Ambilobe is the capital of Antankarana tribes, in the DIANA region; 137 km from Antsiranana. Also Ambatoharanana is cultural center, king's palace, the mast erection situated in 20 km from the North West of Ambilobe, behind of the large mountain of harana.
Historically, the erection of the mast came from war between
dynasty of Zafinimena (red step son) and Zafinifotsy(white step son).
Zafinimena was load by Andriantahora who had conquered Andriatsirotso, the
Zafinifotsy king. He sheltered to the king Raholo in Maroantsetra. He lived
there during years but there was a young girl named Tsimatahodrafy, gifted and
magician. She could take banana burned
in the deepest of lake. The both of the king asked for asking her help to
Andriatsirotro. She promised Andriatsirotro to recover his kingdom. She sent
him and Andriatsirotso’s brother then she followed after six days. She gave to
the king a magical leaf that was for their guide to his kingdom. She followed
after six days. Once she was there, she called the kingdome's name as
Mahavagnono (means what makes successful); the river in the south of Ambilobe
as Mahavavy (making hesitation. She asked them to cut down a male and a female
tree of Tsitakognala (the forest cannot hide) or Hazoambo
(tree higher). It is situated in Agnalamahavelogno
(forest of life) the South of Mahavavy
River; East of Ankiabe. They had founded them and set the Hazoambo trunk and
they erected with a flag of Madagascar and Antakarana flag with six stars and
moon. The magician became the queen of Andriatsirotso. Absolutely,
Andriatsirotso is the first king of Antankarana; exports this tradition of Mast
Erection in 1697. However, Tsimiharo III is current king of Antankarana, the 11th
Antakarana king since 1982. So each king had to celebrate it for honoring the
king and memorizing the event.
Today, the mast erection is due for every five years. It is
a ceremony that commemorates the arrival of the kings of the old kingdom
Antakarana. According to Antankarana tribes, Tsangatsaina present big roles to their
whole life. Tsangatsaina emphasizes unity and continuity of the Antankarana Kingdome
and replace the old damaged by the time. This pole represents masculinity (the
king) and soil fertility (mother earth). It makes the most propitious year for fecundity
and fertility of the land to be abundant harvests.
The Tsangatsaina today is threatened by the occidental culture
and the different religions. Many of Antankarana people convert to be Christian
and abandoned his beliefs. So Tsangatsaina values become disrespected. The last
one I remark was few people and some do not respect it correctly particularly
people in town. More the occidental culture and religion influence come; more this
practice is disappearing. So the values of the Tsangatsaina is reduced and destroyed.
As consequence, today many people endure the consequences.
