Rijasolo

In Madagascar, spirituality - continuous dialogue between the living and invisible forces – is a bedrock of the culture. Despite the apparent domination of Christianity, traditional beliefs are still very much alive, such as the tromba, a possession ritual in which the spirits of the ancestors are invoked. The mpanazary, a type of shaman, continues to play a crucial role, particularly in rural regions where modern medicine struggles to gain a foothold. Odet Rafaralahy, a major figure in Ambatondrazaka in eastern Madagascar, regularly draws crowds of people who want advice or to be healed. His ceremonies involve the hasina, the sacred breath which is considered to be a vital energy that circulates between people and places.
However, the path to the sacred is becoming increasingly fragile. Modernity and the erosion of biodiversity are weakening the hasina. As forests, sacred rivers and emblematic species disappear, a spiritual bond is breaking down. Can the sprits of nature still be honored when nature itself is collapsing?