Skip to main content

Madagascar: Land of The Betsimisaraka

Various Artists
Madagascar: Land of The Betsimisaraka

The Betsimisaraka ("those who are many and united") are the second largest ethnic group on the African island nation of Madagascar, making up about fifteen percent of the country’s 22 million inhabitants. Because they have lived on Madagascar’s east coast, on a transnational trade route, the Betsimisaraka and their music have absorbed influences from Indo-Asian, Arabian, and European cultures.

Betsimisaraka music is an intimate part of social and religious life, distinct from the predominant Malagasy music. Musicians sing in regional dialects and play instruments such as bamboo flute, earth bow, lute,gorodo (“castrated accordion”), and various percussion instruments. While some songs feature the obligatory rituals and lullabies, many address complex family relationships, often with ironic or humorous undertones: marrying for the sake of handing chores off to a wife, comparing an unfaithful spouse to a dog who bites its master, and the tension between a child and stepmother.

Track Listing

icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
101
Zaza bitiky manambady (So young, and married already!) Ensemble from the village of Orimbato 04:31
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
102
Atete aty ragnotra (Come nearer, sister [brother] in law!) Ensemble from the village of Orimbato 06:05
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
103
Mama hely / suivi de Oa zory ê ( Stepmother! / Woman!) Ensemble from the village of Orimbato 06:37
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
104
Pitikilanga siramany (The delicious earth-bow) Beranger 01:21
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
105
Kiva nariako ô zalah (The dog I left there) Beranger 00:54
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
106
Antsatsa-karivo dimanjato (Half a thousand is five hundred) Beranger 01:31
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
107
Kaka misy ampondy (A horned beast) Jassay 02:26
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
108
Oa oa zaza (Baby!) Mamindrazana 03:00
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
109
Satsoka mangaragna (The mangaragna hat) Mamindrazana 02:59
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
110
Tsara ny vary (The rice harvest is good) Mamindrazana 03:05
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
111
Zamany (The uncle) Tombo Daniel and family 03:38
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
112
Masombola (Silver eyes) Tombo Daniel and family 02:20
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
113
Ravoranga [Zanakorovagna] Tombo Daniel and family 02:58
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
114
Tirigna rô ‘lay dronga (The blackbird wants to fly away) Tombo Daniel and family 02:40
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
115
Bakoly Constance Telolahy and Mamindrazana 03:20
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
116
Zanaka tromba (Little possession-spirits) Paul Bert and son 16:12