Families are organizing themselves to enjoy a memorable Independence Day meal, setting aside special budgets for the occasion. "We want to mark this day with a festive meal to honor our national holiday. I've set aside 50,000 ariary to buy a goose or duck, depending on market prices," says Julienne Ramanantenasoa, a retiree who received her pension on June 17.

For others, there's no question of compromise: the budget allows for the full experience, with appetizers, starters, main courses, desserts, koba or cake, according to taste. "This celebration is just as vibrant as other major celebrations. The country's independence is truly important. That's why we dedicate a substantial budget to it," says Francky Andrianarisoa, a father of family.

Poultry remains the flagship product for households during this festive period. "In our tradition, we sacrifice an animal during major celebrations like this one," explains Tsirava Behanta, a father planning to buy a turkey for the occasion.

At the market, poultry is beginning to fill the stalls, with prices slightly higher than last week. Prices are set according to the animal's weight. "The initial investment is heavy, but the quantities purchased remain limited," notes Vololona Rambolarinoro, a poultry vendor at Andravoahangy, to justify the price increase.

Turkey and goose remain the most expensive, priced between 60,000 and 200,000 ariary, and between 60,000 and 120,000 ariary respectively. More affordable, duck and chicken are negotiated in similar ranges, from 20,000 to 45,000 ariary. "Chicken remains the most popular due to its more accessible price," adds Vololona Rambolarinoro.

Beyond poultry, beef is also among the most prepared centerpieces for major occasions. It comes in several specialties, notably shredded meat preserved in oil to ensure conservation and enhance flavor. There's also pork with ravitoto, prepared with pounded cassava leaves, which is renowned in Malagasy gastronomy.

For a true Malagasy feast, certain rituals are sacred! Around the inevitable mountain of rice orchestrates a ballet of flavors: laoka (zebu, pork or fish meat), traditional accompaniments like brèdes, beans or voanjobory (bambara peas), not forgetting the comforting romazava, achard, and to crown it all, a good sip of hot ranovola.

Miangaly Ralitera