Aloalo



︎ afd.fr

Aluminum beads, zebu horn, sisal & raffia weaving, hand embroidery

Aluminum Workshop
Tsimöka Embroidery Workshop

In collaboration with the French Development Agency (AFD), Antananarivo - MA


In Malagasy, aloalo means « totem ». When a person passes away, an aloalo is placed on their graves. Made in scarved wood, it blends symbols and figures to depicts certain scenes from the daily life of the decesased and convey the person’s main qualities. The number symbols contained a aloalo on the tomb varies according to the social statute of the person. 

The aloalo topped with zebu horns reflects the importance of the deceased’s livestock, which is split among the members of the communities upon their death. The horns placed on the aloalo are taken from an animal sacrificed during the funeral.




                        














               








  







                  





                 




                                    




       



                     
                  

 
          

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