The Tsanga-tsaina or Tsanga-Tsaigny is celebrated by the Antakarana people every five years .This ceremony commemorates the advent of the kings of ancient Antakarana kingdom and emphasizes its unity and timelessness despite the invasion and the domination of Merina towards 1850. This explains a certain aversion of the Antakarana for the Merina until this day.

 

Now , the Antakarana have a "small king" descendant of the Zafimbolafotsy dynasty who plays an important role during the ceremony but in everyday life although treated with respect by the people, he has no official function .
Some times before the Tsanga-Tsaina ceremony , the king and his family go to Nosy Mitsio for a pilgrimage in the memory of the king Tsimiharo who took refuge there during the Merina invasion.

 

Besides, a group of men goes into the forest near Ambilobe to choose two great right and high trees that are well distinguishable from others. After their felling ,they are sprayed with " barisa " an alcoholic honey drink , made to this opportunity. These two trunks are built in and fixed in together by honey and alcohol mixture and form therefore the Mast that will be then erected in front of the king residence at Ambatoharanana village.

 

A flag will be fixed by a young robust man who will have to climb up to the summit , which seems to be an exploit considering that the mast has been coated with grease melting in the sun making the climbing difficult . Then the success of its exploit is welcomed with great shouts of victory and joy and the feast continues more enthousiastically than ever .

 

Just like the gathering of the two trees in one unique mast, the implantation of the Saina in the ground represents the gathering of the two sexes and this gesture symbolizes the union between the Zafinifotsy dynasty to whom belongs the king and the Antakarana ground.
The feast of the Tsanga-Tsaina is also the opportunity of the circumcision of the young Antakarana boys .