Music is an essential part of Malagasy culture and popular expression. It is omnipresent, whether during family and community celebrations (weddings, dances) or at religious and traditional ceremonies (masses , exhumation , ” whirlwind ” circumcision) .
The music extends the social and cultural life of the community. And in the south -west of the island, the villagers together and improvise on local instruments such as marovany (xylophone Madagascar), the Antranatrana or Korintsana (percussion). This sets the tempo and symbolizes life and the passing of time. On this basis, the songs will be improvised. In the Highlands, the «Hira Gasy ” are traditional songs based on morality , taking proverbs, accompanied by wind instruments and a kind of drum Aponga , which gives the pace.
In the bush, we may be surprised to discover musical instruments, copies of electric guitars, carved from local wood and using for all rope, nylon fishing line!
Mechanisms are themselves made with bits of scrap metal. All producing sounds just.
In country Sakalava, the sessions of “Tromba” where we call upon the dead ancestors, are practised in agreement with songs of call accompanied with a melody in the accordion and with jerky rhythms by the beatings of the hands of the assistants.
Still in Sakalava country, “kilalaka” is very popular: it is both a music and a very rhythmic dance performed by “dahalo” (thieves of zebus) to cover their tracks.
Some musicians and artists Malagasy
Jaojoby: one of the specialists of «Salegy » and its derivatives, such as “Malessa”and “Baœnjy”. It is a warm and upbeat music, played mainly on the west and north coasts of Madagascar and inspired by traditional songs and rhythms. In the same style, Mily Clément (Ambanja), Tianjama “the grand master” (Antsohihy) …
Rakoto-Frah: internationally renowned flutist, he was a monument of traditional Malagasy music who died in September 2001. (Hira gasy Vakisaova or Vako – drazana). But this talented musician knew also evolve in various and contemporary accompaniments (Jazz, Soul).
Rossy: Malagasy folk songs, linking traditional influence and modern instrumentation.
Lego: traditional Sakalava musician.
Mahaleo: the giants of “Malagasy Folk Song”. Songs that really marked the years 70-80, and have become “classics” of the Malagasy music.
Tence Mena, Farah John’s, Lianah…: Beautiful female vocals with a colourful music.
Justin Vali: lives in France, virtuoso of “Valiha” traditional bamboo instrument sounding characteristics of the Highlands.
Jerry Marcos, Wawa, Tsiliva…
