Celebration in the Village
I was about to participate in another traditional Sakalava ritual. The ground was swept clean and covered with grass mats, the mango and guava trees had been cut back, and a beautiful entrance had been created using mangrove wood, banana leaves and hibiscus flowers. People were beginning to climb the hill behind the house and find their places on the mats. A small bowl of clean, clear water with a single, green Mango leaf had been placed on one of the mats. This was for the spiritual patriarch of the family to sprinkle on people as he talked to Zagnahary (God). This will be my first time to attend a “Magnaboaka Tsaiky,” which means “bringing out the child,” and I am anxious because the child we are bringing out is my own.
There are two parts to this particular ceremony. The first is done in a ritualistic manner where the spiritual patriarch, facing the east, speaks to God and the family ancestors, asking them to bless the new child, and sprinkling new water on the baby, parents, and others as a symbolic form of that blessing. Then comes the party, where food and alcohol are served, all depending on the financial means of the parents. Many people are invited to the party, and some bring gifts, mostly cash, to the parents. This is done when a new baby is one month old.
Everyone in our village was wondering when we were going to “magnaboaka tsaiky…” they were looking to see how we would introduce our baby to the village. Our team decided it would be a good idea to take this ritual and give it new meaning and context. Along with our gatherings and individual conversations, this would be another chance to subvert the current understanding of God and the spiritual world that permeates our villages. We created a new liturgy, giving thanks to the true God for his gift of our spiritual brother, Jesus Christ. We talked about the covenant family, and what that means for Hudson as a child born into a family of believers. And we talked about his sin and his need for the only savior, Jesus.
When we finished deciding what we were going to say, tradition dictated we should have asked my grandfather to perform the ceremony… except he was thousands of miles away. Thankfully our teammate stepped in and represented my family as our spiritual patriarch. Rosina also helped out, giving the biblical context for the words of the ceremony, as well as translating the liturgy into Sakalava.
As the ceremony was about to begin, I realized that more people had come than expected, some of whom would never have come to one of our team’s gatherings. We were grateful that everyone was able to hear a small amount of God’s truth, and witness a celebration of God’s blessing within a proper understanding of His revelation. The band showed up and sang their new version of The Lord’s Prayer from Matthew. There was even a little dancing…
The party afterwards was great, and the first time we have had that many people at our tiny hut! Pray with us that our friends and neighbors would embrace “new life” in Christ.
Here is a link to the entire liturgy (in English) if you’re interested:
– Bryan
* All photos on this page by Tori Alverson 2015
Sweet friends, this story is an INCREDIBLE joy. What an encouragement to my heart to read tonight! We’ve been talking a lot about ceremonies and rites of passage in our community and how we allow those to be transformed. We haven’t come to any great conclusions, but this was such a good example of that for me. So excited for you and so excited to meet your new little one! Hoping our paths will cross in Texas! Keep me posted on your plans!
Love you, Jen
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What an Awesome story. Reminds me of Don Richardson’s “Peace Child”, which Hudson may become to bridge the spiritual gap to these sweet people you are living with.
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Rebe! I love this so much!! I love the pictures, and the gracious way you ingratiate yourselves with your people. Hudson is PRECIOUS! I could just eat him. Y’all are loved and thought of and prayed over often, I hope you know that. A celebration indeed! I am proud of you all. XOXOXO
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Oh thank you so much for sharing this wonderful event! We know God will use this in special ways in the lives of your friends there. God bless you all and little Hudson!!!The Hulls
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This is terrific! So glad all of you are doing well and Hudson is doing well! Barbara sends her Greetings!
God Bless You!
Carl Summer, D.Min. Adjunct Online Faculty
Point Loma Nazarene University – MASOL – 2015 –
Trevecca Nazarene University – MOH – 2013-2014
Caribbean Nazarene College – Undergraduate – 2011-2012
carlbsummer@gmail.com
Home # 1-405-787-7807
Cell # 1-405-627-3099
Excited About the Re-Presenting of the Master/Message of Christ’s Full Salvation for the 21st Century!
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19).
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amazing! what an incredible opportunity for you and the community. so beautiful!
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I loved the pictures and the wonderful story that goes with it ! You are touching so many lives and I know you are passionate about your work over there, this was a wonderful opportunity to be a part of the community and how wonderful to be so accepted and obviously loved and respected. We miss you and can’t wait to hold the newest addition to the family.
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