<![CDATA[This study examines Famadihana, a traditional funerary ritual practiced by Malagasy communities in Madagascar, as a manifestation of collective solidarity through the perspective of Émile Durkheim’s sociology of religion. Rather than viewing Famadihana merely as a ceremony associated with death and ancestor worship, this study explores its social and religious functions in maintaining collective consciousness, kinship, moral order, and communal identity. The research employs a qualitative library research method with conceptual analysis, drawing primarily on literature concerning Famadihana and Durkheim’s The Elementary Forms of Religious Life, supported by relevant scholarly sources. The findings reveal that Famadihana strengthens collective solidarity through three interconnected dimensions. First, sacred symbols, ancestral tombs, music, dance, and communal gatherings reinforce collective consciousness and generate collective effervescence among participants. Second, the ritual strengthens kinship and communal identity by bringing extended families together and facilitating the intergenerational transmission of cultural values. Third, adherence to ritual ethics, customary prohibitions (fady), and respect for social hierarchy contributes to moral order and community stability. These findings demonstrate that Famadihana functions not only as a religious tradition but also as an important mechanism of social integration that sustains relationships between the living, ancestors, and the wider Malagasy community.]]>
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