Bone thefts prevent Malagasy families from paying their respects
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on L'Express de Madagascar
Families in Madagascar have given up visiting the graves of their loved ones after their bones were stolen, a phenomenon reported in several regions of the country. In Ambohimalaza, Narilala says his family tomb was emptied in 2019, while other families were able to lay flowers at graves on 1 November, according to L’Express de Madagascar.
Families in Madagascar were unable to pay their respects at the graves of their loved ones on Sunday 1 November after bones were stolen in several regions of the country, L’Express de Madagascar reports. In Ambohimalaza, Narilala says the bones of all the members of his family tomb, including those of his wife, were stolen in 2019. Since then, his family has not returned there for the 1 November commemoration.
The phenomenon continues despite arrests and is taking a toll on families for whom the dead hold an important place, the daily reports. Flower sellers also noted a slight fall in the number of buyers compared with last year. In Ambohimangakely, one trader said she still had about ten unsold pots after starting sales on Saturday.
Other families were able to lay flowers on the tombs and pay tribute to their loved ones. In Ambohimangakely, Diana came to honour her mother, who died last year.
