People and Culture - Madagascar - page 61

Another type of ody is the talisman, aoly , worn for protection if someone has transgressed
a fady or broken a promise. Aoly are sometimes kept in the house or buried. Ody fitia are
used to gain love (white magic) but sorcerers also sell other forms of ody for black magic
and are paid by clients with either money, zebu or poultry (a red rooster being preferred).
Mpamonka are witch doctors with an intimate knowledge of poison and mpisikidy are
sorcerers who use amulets, stones, and beads (known as hasina ) for their cures. Sorcerers
who use these in a destructive way are called mpamosavy .
On their death, sorcerers are not buried in tombs but are dumped to the west of their vil-
lages, barely covered with soil so that feral dogs and other creatures can eat their bodies.
Their necks are twisted to face south.
THE WAY IT IS... Visitors from the West often find the beliefs and customs of the Mala-
gasymerely bizarre. Ittakes time andefforttounderstand andrespect the richness oftradi-
tion that underpins Malagasy society, but it is an effort well worth making.
THE MALAGASY LAMBA
Joseph Radoccia
The lamba is the most distinctive item of traditional Malagasy clothing, and among
one of the island's most vibrant forms of artistic expression. There are many types of
lamba , each with its own role in Malagasy culture. The Merina highlanders have a
longtradition ofhandweaving; lamba arethefruitofthistradition. However,thevari-
ety most often encountered is not handwoven, but rather the machine-manufactured
lamba hoany .
This, the category designated for everyday use, is a large decoratively printed rect-
angular cotton cloth. Some feature brilliantly hued patterns surrounding a central
medallion;others,printedintwoorthreecolours,depictaruralorcoastalscenewithin
an ornate border. You may also find some with images of Malagasy landmarks, the
annual calendar, or historic events. A consistent feature of the various styles of lamba
hoany is one essential recurring element that makes each unique: in a narrow box
alongthebottomyouwillfindaMalagasy proverborwordsofwisdom.Forthisreas-
on the lamba hoany are often referred to as 'proverb cloths'.
As you travel the island you will discover that this seemingly simple wraparound
cloth is adapted for many purposes. It is an invaluable essential for almost every cit-
izen of rural Madagascar. As clothing, it is worn in coastal regions as a sarong, while
in the highlands lamba are draped around shoulders as shawls for added warmth in
the evening chill. Everywhere the lamba hoany is employed as a sling to carry a child
on a mother's back or rolled up to cushion the weight when carrying a large basket