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

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