Zanahary is the personified sky of Malagasy mythology and folklore. He (usually male, but sometimes considered genderless[1]) is considered a creator god, having collaborated with the earth Ratovantany to create humanity; upon death, the soul migrates to the firmament, while the body returns to the earth.[2][3] For this reason, Zanahary is closely associated with the soul in the indigenous theology as well as ancestor worship.[4] He is a national god of the Merina people, and frequently henceforth appealed to by Malagasy nationalist groups; most notably Ranavalona I promoted the worship of this god over Christianity.

The Bara people and Betsimisaraka people possess a myth in which the role of Zanahary is taken by the personified sun, which accepts souls after death;[5] however Zanahary is typically assumed to be devoid of solar characteristics. Similarly there is an "earth Zanahary" in contrast to the sky.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Arthur Cotterell, A Dictionary of World Mythology, Oxford University Press, 17/04/1986
  2. ↑ "Madagascar Creation Myth" (PDF).
  3. ↑ Arthur Cotterell, A Dictionary of World Mythology, Oxford University Press, 17/04/1986
  4. ↑ Littleton, C. Scott (2005). Gods, goddesses, and mythology. Marshall Cavendish. p. 74. ISBN 9780761475590.
  5. ↑ "ASK BALLADEER: IS THERE A MALAGASY SOLAR DEITY?". Balladeer's Blog. 2018-06-03. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  6. ↑ Arthur Cotterell, A Dictionary of World Mythology, Oxford University Press, 17/04/1986
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