Music of Madagascar - Knowledge (XXG)

539: 2395: 28: 2582: 2341: 1772: 1629: 1173: 921: 635: 65: 1605:, compact disc, radio or internet. Modern forms of Malagasy music may incorporate such innovations as amplified or imported instruments (particularly electric guitar, bass guitar, synthesizer and drum kit), blend the sounds of new and traditional instruments or use traditional instruments in innovative ways. As contemporary artists adapt their musical heritage to today's market, they manage to preserve the melodic, 197: 394: 2091: 810: 2475: 514:) spiritual rituals practiced in several regions of the island, as it is believed that each spirit has a different preferred piece of music. The association between music and ancestors is so strong on the eastern coast that some musicians will put rum, cigarettes or other valued objects inside an instrument (through the 2798: 1562:

are found throughout the island and are believed to have come across with the original Indonesian settlers. The earliest of these is played uniquely by a pair of women, one of whom sits with her legs outstretched together and the bars of the xylophone resting across her legs rather than on a separate

1085:

to obtain the desired range. One of the most common tunings drops the sixth string from E to C and the fifth string from A to G, thereby enabling the guitarist to capture a range approximating that of a vocal choir. The Malagasy acoustic guitar style has been internationally promoted by such artists

2489:

Music has long served a variety of secular and sacred purposes in Madagascar. Song may accompany daily tasks, provide entertainment, preserve history or communicate social and political messages. Music is likewise integral to the experience of spiritual ritual among many ethnic and religious groups

2963:

in 1836, but the hymns they developed became anthems for early Malagasy converts persecuted under the Queen's traditionalist policies. In 1871, an LMS missionary (J. Richardson) improved the rhythm and harmony of these original hymns, which were considerably influenced by European musical styles

384:

Music in Madagascar has served a variety of sacred and secular functions. In addition to its performance for entertainment or personal creative expression, music has played a key part in spiritual ceremonies, cultural events and historic and contemporary political functions. By the late 19th

656: 707:

Strings may be plucked with the fingernails, which are allowed to grow longer for this purpose. The instrument was originally used for rituals and for creative artistic expression alike. However, beginning in the mid-19th century, playing the instrument became the prerogative of the

1528:

on the eastern coast of the island, although modern items such as empty insecticide tins or sweetened condensed milk cans filled with pebbles increasingly take the place of traditional bamboo. Shakers of this sort are used throughout Madagascar, commonly in conjunction with

1868:

Distinct contemporary forms of music, rooted in local musical traditions, have emerged in the coastal regions since the 1960s. Chief among these are two up-tempo dance music styles that have become especially popular across Madagascar and have achieved crossover success:

644: 627:

accompanied by a melodic bass line. The strings are traditionally cut and raised from the fibrous surface of the bamboo tube itself, although a contemporary form also exists that instead uses bicycle brake cables for strings to give the instrument a punchier sound.

497:

was favored, while in the south and western coastal regions singing was performed with more elaborate ornamentation and in small groups. Musical performance in Madagascar has often been associated with spiritual functions. Music is a key component in achieving a

2900:

accompanies this piece, in which dancers will form a long chain of male-female pairs with the woman at the front of each pair, both facing forward holding each other's hands while advancing to the rhythm of the music. From its origins as a courtly dance, the

573:

and other instruments that were incorporated into local musical traditions by the mid-16th century. The influence of instruments and musical styles from France and Great Britain began to have a significant impact on music in Madagascar by the 19th century.

4111: 2968:. Originally, church music was performed by slaves seated in groups of four to five at the front of the church. By the 1870s a more European congregational style had been adopted with all members of the church rising to their feet to sing together. 1148:, about a foot long with six finger holes and one for the thumb, and another similar end-blown flute over two feet long with three holes at the far end. Both are open-ended and are played by blowing diagonally across the near opening. The master of 546:

Instruments in Madagascar were brought to the island by successive waves of settlers from across the Old World. Over 1500 years ago, the earliest settlers from Indonesia brought the oldest and most emblematic instruments, including the tube zither

2848:(free Merina). Each year at Christmas, the directors of each group would arrange a performance before the queen of a new original composition; the queen would select a winner among the three. While court musicians (and therefore the earliest 2939:

ritual. While in a trance, the medium is possessed by an ancestral spirit. Each spirit is believed to prefer a particular tune or style of music and will not enter the medium unless the suitable piece of music is performed at the ceremony.

718:

is the most emblematic form of the instrument most likely due to its popularization by the 19th century Merina aristocracy, other forms of the instrument exist across the island. In the region around the eastern port city of

344:

singing style common to South Africa. Foreign instruments such as the acoustic guitar and piano have been adapted locally to create uniquely Malagasy forms of music. Contemporary Malagasy musical styles such as the

2872:

troupes alike to make increasing use of foreign instruments such as violins, clarinets, trombones and trumpets. The tradition of the court musician died out with the abolition of the monarchy in Madagascar after

2266:, such as might have more commonly been performed in rural villages twenty years ago, rather than the amplified, synthesized and remixed style in heavy rotation on radio stations performed by national stars like 1077:. Soon afterward, the guitar was widely disseminated throughout the island, producing an explosion of regionally distinctive Malagasy guitar styles inspired by the music played on local traditional instruments. 444:

state, typically induced by music) is present on both the western and eastern coasts of the island but the vocal styles or instruments used in the ceremony will vary regionally. Music in Madagascar tends toward

315:

Malagasy music can be roughly divided into three categories: traditional, contemporary and popular music. Traditional musical styles vary by region and reflect local ethnographic history. For instance, in the

655: 680: 405:

relative to percussion instruments. Musical instruments and vocal styles found in Madagascar represent a blend of widespread commonalities and highly localized traditions. A common vocal style among the

256:, Portugal, England, France and the United States over time as indigenous people, immigrants, and colonists have made the island their home. Traditional instruments reflect these widespread origins: the 2525:

The preservation of oral history may be achieved through musical performance in Madagascar. Among the Betsileo, for instance, oral histories are retold through a form of musical performance called the

1569:

with a pair of sticks, one keeping the beat while the second plays a melody. The xylophone bars range from five to seven in number and are made of differing lengths of a rot-resistant wood called

2794:. Over time, these musicians formed independent troupes who used and continue to use the non-threatening performance format to explore sensitive social and political themes in the public arena. 385:

century, certain instruments and types of music became primarily associated with specific castes or ethnic groups, although these divisions have always been fluid and are continually evolving.

4104: 968: 2462:

are experimenting with the fusion of hip-hop and traditional Malagasy musical styles and instruments. There is also a small metal scene with bands like Sasamaso being the most prominent.

2834:, and another for the city of Antananarivo. The queen's troupe consisted of over 300 musicians. Until slavery was abolished, musicians in these groups were members of the slave class ( 2625: 2506:

serfs singing in the rice fields, "timing the music to the movements of their bodies, so that at each accented note they plant a stalk." Similarly, songs may accompany the paddling of

668: 993: 2600: 2886:

Musical styles from abroad have been merged with pre-existing Malagasy musical traditions to create distinctly Malagasy sounds with foreign roots. An example of this is the

3892: 457:, most likely due to early Arab influences at coastal ports of call. Malagasy music has served a wide range of social, spiritual and mundane functions across the centuries. 361:

have evolved from traditional styles modernized by the incorporation of electric guitar, bass, drums and synthesizer. Many Western styles of popular music, including rock,

2135:("broken") which is primarily instrumental—voice serves only to urge on more energetic dancing—and during which the vocalists (and the audience) will launch into intricate 2297:

just as there are many nationally and internationally acclaimed musicians who draw upon the musical traditions of the coastal regions in their compositions. Of note are

749:

from wood, near Toamasina the box is constructed of metal sheeting with much thicker and heavier strings that produce a different sound from the bamboo and bicycle cable

959: 1222: 939: 679: 227: 1818: 3918: 1297:), popular across Madagascar, is believed to have been imported by French colonists after 1896. In the 20th century, the instrument was commonly performed during 1264:) is a similarly ancient instrument believed to have been brought over by early Indonesian settlers. Mainly played by men, it features a lateral blow hole in the 984: 4515: 4285: 3786: 3759: 3732: 3617: 3426: 3394: 2498:

Among some ethnic groups music would help advance a repetitive or arduous task. Geo Shaw, a missionary to Madagascar in the 19th century, described observing

1327:, while also inspiring the style used by the guitarists in these bands. Although today the sound of the accordion is most often replicated by a synthesizer in 2569:

featuring for example a solo musician who strums rather than fiddles his accompanying instrument and sings at a lower, more natural pitch. While the Betsileo

2612: 844:

resonator, although modern versions may have as many as eleven or thirteen strings, typically made of steel. A maximum of four of these are strung over the

2624: 967: 2234:

is evident in both the guitars and polyharmonic vocals, often performed by female singers who repeat variations on a short refrain throughout the song.

183: 2599: 2252:

only truly began to garner a similar level of widespread appreciation by the mid-1990s. It was not until the 2000 release of the "Tulear Never Sleeps"

4207: 2591: 2203:

and that has recently been adapted to contemporary instruments such as electric guitar, bass guitar and drum kit. Generally even more rapid than the

992: 862:

is especially popular among the Betsileo of the southern Highlands and the Betsimisaraka of the southeast, who play it in accompaniment to their sung

1842: 2959:

as missionaries developed Malagasy-language hymns for their nascent church. The first wave of missionaries was obliged to depart Madagascar under

4430: 1609:-dominated sound that distinguishes traditional Malagasy music from the more percussion-heavy traditions of mainland Africa. African genres like 1191: 930: 2442:. Artists of this new wave of malagasy music include Black Nadia, Vaiavy Chila, LIANAH and BIG MJ. Jazz has been popularized by artists such as 1221: 938: 3669: 1790: 1817: 479:(as exemplified by groups such as Salala or Senge), whereas Highland harmonies, strongly influenced in the past two hundred years by European 4270: 4033: 4004: 3979: 3823: 3546: 3495: 3249: 3195: 3140: 3104: 3020: 2359: 1647: 1719:

assured his band regular performances in association with Presidential functions, and his band came to define the Ratsiraka epoch for many.

2575:

can address diverse themes, those performed by other southern groups are almost always praise songs recalling a favorably memorable event.

1809: 1677:

In the 1950s and 1960s, a variety of bands in the Highlands (in the area between and around Antananarivo and Fianarantsoa) were performing

1213: 3334:

Adams, Rashid Epstein (2018), "The Making of a National Instrument: Imagery, Symbolism, and the Social Function of the Malagasy Valiha",

2240:

music is performed at all manner of ceremonial occasion in the South, whether a birthday celebration, community party, or funeral. While

3563: 1048:

style in the 1920s and 1930s before declining in the 1940s. Today, the compositions of this period by pianist theatrical composers like

220: 4290: 1841: 330:, the predominantly Austronesian ethnic group that has inhabited the area since at least the 15th century, whereas among the southern 3865: 1190: 3715: 2907:

today is a quintessentially Malagasy tradition performed at the beginning of a social event or concert to kick off the festivities.

1789: 1065:

piano style but for whom the purchase of a costly piano was out of reach. Early guitarists adapted the piano style (itself based on

2510:

on long journeys. Music may also accompany another form of entertainment, such as songs chanted by female spectators at matches of

2358: 1646: 1059:

When the modern acoustic guitar was first popularized in Madagascar, it was adopted by the lower classes who were inspired by the

2790:) and to entertain them as they labored on public works projects such as building dikes to irrigate the rice paddies surrounding 2285:

There are many more regional styles of contemporary music that have yet to achieve the level of national recognition attained by

806:

but with nylon fishing line for strings and five or seven movable frets that facilitate modification of the instrument's tuning.

2822:

troupes of today are remnants of a tradition of court musicians that persisted through the end of the 19th century. Under Queen

780:

ethnic groups. The soundbox, which is typically square or rectangular today, was originally circular in form, first made from a

3896: 213: 48: 1339:

bands due to the expense and rarity of the instrument, accordions continue to hold a privileged place in the performance of

1056:(1892–1952) form part of the canon of classical Malagasy music and feature in the repertoire of Malagasy students of piano. 538: 4200: 4118: 772:) is a four to six-stringed simple guitar common in the southern Highlands moving toward the east, particularly among the 173: 96: 401:

Malagasy music is highly melodic and distinguishes itself from many traditions of mainland Africa by the predominance of

4621: 1833: 518:, for instance) as an offering to the spirits to receive their blessings. Similarly, music has long been central to the 304:

considered the national instrument of Madagascar—directly evolved from an earlier form of zither carried with the first

3922: 3590: 4541: 1182: 3790: 3763: 3736: 3621: 3430: 3398: 414:

of the Highlands, for instance, does not preclude differences in the prevalence of particular instrument types (the

4305: 1781: 1249: 1142:, is believed to be one of the oldest instruments on the island. There exists the more common and well-known short 168: 117: 4163: 4588: 2944: 2827: 2350: 2047: 1638: 1033: 1029: 1681:

of European and American hits or adapting mainland African tunes for local audiences. Madagascar got its first

1268:

style and is typically reserved for ritual or spiritual uses rather than to create music for entertainment. The

27: 4584: 4193: 2164: 1601:

and have been created for entertainment purposes, typically with the intent of eventual mass dissemination via

1434:, traditionally associated with solemn occasions, are found throughout the island. In the Highlands, European 603: 542:

Madagascar: Early 20th century distribution of musical instruments with African, Indonesian or European origins

2915:

Music is a common element of spiritual ritual and ceremonies throughout the island. For instance, members of

2450:

broke into the mainstream in the mid-nineties and has since skyrocketed to popularity through artists such as

2394: 2172: 1656:'s music is a fusion of Malagasy rhythms, vocal styles and instruments distinguished by the inclusion of the 4597: 1702: 91: 2563:

are not predominant in the harmony. Other Southern ethnic groups also perform simplified variations of the

1715:

to create a distinctly Malagasy radio-friendly sound. His open and enthusiastic support for then-President

4345: 2866:

and drums - over the course of the 19th century the increasing European influence led court musicians and

1745: 1049: 101: 19: 1496:("male wood") drum produces the deepest sound and is reserved for the most significant occasions such as 4580: 4455: 4445: 4250: 2784:, who reportedly employed musicians to gather the public together for royal speeches and announcements ( 1371: 662:

The strings of the ancestral valiha are made from the raised fibers of the bamboo tube resonator itself.

476: 245: 86: 56: 2651:

Endogenous musical styles may also serve as a form of artistic expression, as in the highly syncopated

2435: 1610: 4549: 2199:

is energetic dance music that originated from the traditional music of the southwestern region around

2053:, with heavy electric bass and a driving percussion. The percussion section might include a drum kit, 820: 4460: 4350: 4280: 2781: 2080: 1166:) banknote after independence in 1960 and his death on 29 September 2001 prompted national mourning. 773: 305: 122: 4545: 3673: 3039:

Blench, Roger (1982). "Evidence for the Indonesian origins of certain elements of African culture".

491:. In the Highlands, and particularly in the 19th century, vocal performance by large groups called 18:

This article is about the music of the country Madagascar. For the soundtrack of the 2005 film, see

4571: 4520: 4440: 4405: 4390: 4330: 4265: 2732:

Musical performance in the Highlands took on a distinctly political and educative role through the

2058: 1992: 1053: 147: 137: 132: 4174: 3187:

Recollecting from the Past: Musical Practice and Spirit Possession on the East Coast of Madagascar

2634:

is the final Malagasy quadrille composed for the royal court prior to French colonization in 1896.

712:

to such an extent that possessing long fingernails became symbolic of nobility. While the tubular

4395: 4078: 3056: 2774:

performed by a troupe or as a competition between two or more troupes. While the origins of the

1682: 1265: 1078: 873: 599: 163: 2279: 852:

and are strummed with the fingers in accompaniment to the primary melody which is played with a

2466:

has gained popularity in Madagascar since late 2010s with artists like Mad Max and Basta Lion.

1036:, and soon afterward, local musicians began creating their own compositions for piano based on 393: 259: 4495: 4470: 4320: 4315: 4295: 4260: 4245: 4029: 4000: 3975: 3819: 3711: 3542: 3491: 3363: 3309: 3245: 3191: 3136: 3130: 3100: 3016: 2874: 2843: 2443: 2427: 2253: 2152: 2094: 1598: 1363:

to the world music scene, winning several international awards for his accordion performance.

562: 201: 3567: 2929:

reburial ceremonies of central Madagascar. In coastal regions, music is crucial to helping a

2451: 2430:. Since mid-2010s malagasy popular music has been a blend of malagasy music, tropical music ( 1545:—was popularized in Madagascar after being imported there from Brazil where it is known as a 4567: 4558: 4480: 4450: 4435: 4420: 4410: 4400: 4365: 4360: 4310: 4255: 4230: 4022: 3460: 3048: 2955:. The subsequent spread of Christianity in Madagascar was coupled with the introduction of 2447: 2084: 1749: 1716: 1694: 1653: 1602: 1350: 488: 127: 2719:, popularized in Imerina during the final two decades of the colonial period, in which the 2402:

A wide range of foreign music styles have been popularized in Madagascar, including French

4490: 4485: 4425: 4380: 4340: 4235: 4216: 4167: 3869: 3518:

Rakotomavo, Germain (2004). "Ny gitara tendry gasy ou jeu guitare à la manière malgache".

2831: 2763: 2753: 2499: 2478: 2455: 1346: 1139: 882:

was considered to be a slave instrument which only mature men were permitted to play. The

777: 411: 309: 273: 178: 81: 31: 2156: 1354: 1229: 4050: 381:, have also gained in popularity in Madagascar over the later half of the 20th century. 4465: 4415: 4370: 4355: 4335: 4325: 4300: 4240: 4156:. National Museum of African Art (Smithsonian Institution). Retrieved 29 November 2010. 4153: 3997:

The Performance of Tradition: An Ethnography of Hira Gasy Popular Theatre in Madagascar

2823: 2559:

range. The structure of the song is complex and, unlike other Malagasy musical styles,

2326: 2316: 2231: 1273: 1159: 1082: 484: 450: 2531:, which in its current form may represent a combination of the original, single-verse 4615: 4475: 4385: 4275: 2897: 2560: 2507: 2503: 1972: 1942: 1760:

artist whose blunt social and political critiques propelled his group to popularity.

1431: 624: 407: 253: 249: 2896:

that was popularized in the Malagasy court in the 19th century. A specific form of

1071:

style) to this novel stringed instrument to create a genre that came to be known as

3840: 2960: 2948: 2809: 2791: 2780:

are uncertain, oral history attributes its modern form to 18th century Merina king

2419: 2257: 2168: 2160: 1938: 1419: 1277: 1087: 885: 849: 815: 616: 480: 362: 3945: 2830:, there were three official groups of state musicians: one for the queen, one for 3813: 3705: 3485: 3303: 3185: 3092: 3010: 2623: 2598: 2357: 1840: 1816: 1788: 1645: 1220: 1189: 991: 966: 937: 914:), believed to have been brought to Madagascar by settlers from mainland Africa. 678: 654: 4105:

The Museum of Art and Archaeology of the University of Antananarivo (Madagascar)

3972:

Madagascar, le theatre du peuple de l'art hira gasy entre tradition et rebellion

2726: 2246:

had risen to national popularity by the mid-1980s (some would argue the 1970s),

1897: 1723: 1606: 1586: 1582: 1201: 1155: 1091: 911: 901: 863: 853: 833: 797: 781: 612:

is considered the national instrument of Madagascar. It is typically tuned to a

472: 454: 446: 402: 341: 331: 2606:"Mifankatiava Ihany" is a well-known classic of theatrical ba-gasy vocal style. 2474: 1422:

and other traditional celebrations. Metal and wood harmonicas are also played.

4107:. Image and sound gallery of Malagasy instruments. Retrieved 29 November 2010. 3644: 2987: 2977: 2956: 2930: 2924: 2643: 2386: 2136: 2105:

In addition to their commonalities in tempo, vocal style, and tendency toward

2090: 2006: 2000: 1860: 1757: 1753: 1678: 1669: 1597:

Contemporary music comprises modern-day compositions that have their roots in

1499: 1445: 1413: 1240: 1020: 809: 699: 521: 461: 336: 4146: 4139: 4132: 3594: 2893: 2762:

is a day-long spectacle of music, dance, and a stylized form of traditional

2519: 2463: 2439: 2114: 2106: 2076: 2050: 2043: 1893: 1698: 1690: 1614: 1553: 1536: 1435: 1367: 1288: 1281: 950: 720: 515: 378: 3052: 2308: 1095: 1008: 3220:

Conservatoire national de musique et de déclamation (1922), "Madagascar",

3097:

The Rough Guide to World Music, Vol. 1: Africa, Europe and the Middle East

2224:

form of music features a guitar performance style inspired by traditional

2983: 2952: 2854:

troupes) originally performed using traditional instruments – namely the

2735: 2704: 2668: 2513: 2423: 2298: 2271: 2139: 1986: 1907: 1876: 1465: 1399: 1205: 841: 738: 709: 620: 613: 3060: 1321:

music. This accordion style was also integrated into the performance of

4180: 4160: 3302:

McLeod, Norma (1977), "Musical Instruments and History in Madagascar",

2658: 2556: 2405: 2321: 2312: 2267: 2200: 1928: 1924: 1686: 1505: 570: 374: 356: 317: 2797: 1738:

simultaneously; Solo Miral, featuring guitar played in the style of a

2769: 2482: 2459: 2415: 2366: 2275: 2054: 2027: 1962: 1797: 1706: 1473: 1457: 1163: 1133: 904:

ethnic groups. The simplest form of instrument in this family is the

897: 867: 761: 595: 591: 585: 550: 527: 499: 441: 429: 370: 348: 327: 301: 297: 291: 283: 267: 36: 4112:

Traditional Malagasy music performed at the Paris Exposition of 1931

3785: