Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
on one's head. You may also encounter a
lamba
used as a light blanket, curtains in a
window or door, and on occasion as a wall-hanging or tablecloth.
Youcanpurchasea
lamba
atalmostanymarket.Thesouvenirvendorsusuallycarry
a few, but you will find a much wider selection and better prices with the textile mer-
chants.ThewidestchoiceistobefoundatthefabricstoresjustnorthoftheAnalakely
market pavilions in Antananarivo. Here hanging from the ceiling in each shop is row
after row of gorgeously coloured
lamba
. Point one out and the merchant will spread
it out for your perusal. Be sure to look at a few, because each one is a unique piece
of art. Take your new purchase to one of the tailors in the market to have the edges
hemmed for a small fee.
Also noteworthy is the
lambamena
(literally 'red cloth', although not necessarily
red in colour). These are handwoven from the silk of an indigenous Malagasy silk-
worm and used primarily as burial shrouds in funerary ceremonies. If you prefer a
traditional handwoven
lamba
, a nice colourful selection can be found at the Anosy
flower market in Tana.
Joseph Radoccia is an artist and Malagasy art enthusiast who visits Madagascar fre-
quently to paint. His lamba-inspired paintings can be viewed at
www.radoccia.com
.
Leonard Fox, author of
Hainteny
, sums it up perfectly:
Whoever has witnessed the silent radiance of those who come to pray... at the house
of Andrianampoinimerina in Ambohimanga and has experienced the nobility, mod-
esty, unobsequious courtesy, and balanced wholeness of the poorest Merina who has
remained faithful to his heritage can have no doubt as to the deep integrative value of
the Malagasy spiritual tradition.
MALAGASY SOCIETY
MARRIAGEANDCHILDREN
The Malagasy have a strong sense of community which
influences their way of life. Just as the ancestors are laid in a communal tomb, so their
descendants share a communal way of life, and even children are almost considered com-
mon property within their extended family. Children are seldom disciplined but learn by
example.
Marriage is a fairly relaxed union and divorce is common. There is no formal dowry
arrangement or bride price, but a present of zebu cattle will often be made. In rural com-
munities the man should bring his new wife home to his village (not vice versa) or he will
