Company Rary, Compagnie Rary, Planete Sports, are just a few of the Madagascan dance companies, Malagasy dance schools, dancing organizations and dance wear suppliers that that can be found in our comprehensive Directory of Madagascar Dance Companies.

Traditional Madagascan dance

"Traditional Malagasy dance is imitative of animals," he explained. "It has a cat-like energy; it's feline. We try to borrow that energy.

Malagasy people like dancing and singing. From the North to the South, from the East to the West, by the way of the high plains, Madagascar sings and dances. Not only to modern rhythms, nor necessarily to world music. Like the other countries in the world, Madagascar has its own culture and tradition. This tradition is alive and kicking throughout the country in many guises. Popular culture needs no electricity, stage or professional artists. In a country so impregnated with the memory of its ancestors, songs and dances remind us of the depth of our roots whilst at the same time entertaining the community.

Like most cultural aspects of the country, Hira Gasy is totally unique to Madagascar. It's a traditional form of Malagasy entertainment that is said to have existed since 1789, and the rule of King Andrianampoinimerina. This king provided his people with farming tools and techniques so they would be able to feed themselves in times of famine or times of plenty; and mpikabary (orators) went to perform for them (including singers and dancers) to entertain them. The practice of Hira Gasy has been popular ever since to give thanks to their kings.

Today, a Hira Gasy performance consists of several themes; each theme is made up of five phases, like Sasitehaka (a prelude, usually about ten minutes long). The main part of the Hira Gasy is the Renihira, which introduces the main theme of the performance. The themes can be about farming, social issues, weddings, or even trade. The songs linked to this theme can last for an hour our more.

Today, many influences are adopted in the Hira Gasy, like the red uniforms worn by the French during their colonization of the island. Hira Gasy is sometimes staged during sacred ceremonies; these include Famadihana (the exhumation of the dead for reburial), the circumcision ceremony for one to seven year olds and other important events.

Sometimes performances are also put on for tourists although these are often only for tour groups. For locals, Hira Gasy is done for public entertainment too, and in small towns and villages you may stumble across a traditional performance.

There are many fine dance schools in Madagascar. I know I am in contact with them as we supply a range of high quality dancewear products like leotards, dance pants, dance dresses and other dancing apparel.

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Dance Schools in Madagascar, Dancewear Suppliers, Dancing Organizations

Commission Nationale pour l''UNESCO
11 rue Naka Rabemanantsoa-Behoririka, B.P. 331

MG-101 Antananarivo Madagascar
Tel. (261.20)222.17.61; Fax (261.20)222.84.96
Organization
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Compagnie Rary
Logt 41 Ambohipo MG-101 Antananarivo Madagascar
Tel. & Fax 00 261 20 22 213 75 / 236 47; 00 261 32 07 731 34

http://movementrevolutionafrica.com/rary.html
Company
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Mireille Rakotomalala
17 rue Dr. Villette-Isoraka P.B. 564

MG-101 Antananarivo Madagascar
Tel. (261)2023, 35206, 28218
Researcher, folk dances
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Alliance Francaise de Madagascar
BP 916 MG-101 Antananarivo Malagasy Republic
+261202223263; fax +261202222504
www.alliancefr.mg
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Madagascar National Commission for UNESCO

(Commission Nationale Malgache pour l'UNESCO)
B.P. 331; 11 rue Naka Rabemanantsoa-Behoririka

MG-101 Antananarivo Malagasy Republic
261-20) 222 17 61; fax (261-20) 222 84 96
http://www.unesco.org/comnat/madagascar
National organization
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Planete Sports
Im. Grand Ciel, Rt des Hydrocarbures, Ankorodrano

MG-101 Antananarivo Malagasy Republic
www.sport-madagascar.com
School, Tous les rythmes et danses du mondes hip hop, funk, rock. Permet de développer le sens de la coordination et du rythme.
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Vonihaingo-Sylvia Rakotomdrasoa
Bloc N?4 Lot 40 Manjarison

MG-401 Mahajanga Malagasy Republic

Madagascar's Deaf Youths Excel in Dance Program

Dance was introduced to the young deaf people of the AKAMA by a young woman whose studies in Physical Education culminated in a thesis on the movement expression of deaf people. Under the supervision of the Lutheran church, the AKAMA is a school for children and youth with hearing impairments. The classes follow two tracks:

The "formal education" track:
Primary classes, from 1 st to 5 th grades
Secondary classes, from 6 th to 9 th grades
The "Professional Training" track:
Carpentry
Sewing, embroidery
Computer Science
It all began more than 10 years ago...

It all began in 1993 when Mirana, the young woman in question, was hired as a volunteer physical education teacher at the AKAMA. Using the elements of her thesis, she tried to teach to the young deaf people not only gymnastics, but also modern dance. She met this great challenge with patience and creativity, and soon came the time for the group's first public appearance.

At first, the audience was made up only of the Lutheran parishioners attending a religious feast. A mixture of surprise and admiration was apparent on their faces as they saw the young deaf dancers moving in harmony with the rhythm of the music. Even Mirana was stupefied, she later confessed, for the results of their work surpassed her expectations.

The success of the first show spread so fast that the group was soon asked by the City of Tananarivo School District to perform at the various school fairs such as All Schools' Day, Back To School Day, etc. The invitations have since kept coming, and the members of the group are more and more motivated to give it their very best. As for Mirana, she has consistently added an innovative touch to their style.

During the celebration of independence day last June 26 th , the group danced in front of an audience of over one thousand at the great stadium of Mahamasina, and everyone was amazed. You could hear people whispering: "This is incredible! How is it that the young deaf people manage to dance when they don't hear the music? Are they really deaf or are they pretending?..." Sadly, this confirms the biases that handicapped people confront on a daily basis.

Malagasy group visits Switzerland

The group's reputation has spread beyond Madagascar's borders and has conquered Switzerland. In 2003, the group - still directed by Mirana - performed 40 shows on a tour of several cities in Switzerland. It was a success. The young deaf people of Switzerland learned a lot from young deaf Malagasy.

Mirana, with the help of their new Swiss friends, now directs a program called "Tanana Mirana (Delighted Hands)" which works towards the social, cultural, and professional integration of young deaf people. The program offers many activities: drawing, cutting and sewing, embroidery, sign language classes, French, English, family planning, and of course dance. About 70 young deaf people currently use the program.

According to Mirana, the program's goal is not only to help spread dance among young deaf people, but also to help launch their other talents, such as drawing and embroidery. When I visited the program, I saw that many drawings made by the young deaf people graced the walls of the various rooms. Seeing these works of art immediately made me want to support their creation.

It is important to note that Madagascar is one of the few countries with a deaf dance group. Judging from the response to the events that the deaf dancers participated in, I dare say that they carry with them the pride of the nation, thus proving that they are indeed citizens in full.

By Fela Razafinjato fela.csm@netclub.mg