Skip to main content

Madagascar: Spirit Music from the Tamatave Region

Various Artists
Madagascar: Spirit Music from the Tamatave Region

Except for the period of French colonial rule from 1897 to 1960, the peoples of Madagascar have been free and independent. The Malagasy place great belief in ancestral power, evoking the spirits of ancient royalty, tromba, through possession ceremonies. These spirits are summoned to help solve problems, heal illness, and create a devotional base for a world often fractured by foreign intrusion and poverty. According to ethnomusicologist Ron Emoff, who made field recordings of the music here, the tromba ceremonies are also used to creatively rework and reevaluate colonialism, “so that remnants of this once harsh force become valued components of a sacred Malagasy practice.”

Track Listing

icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
101
Antandroy gorodora (accordion) Very Soa, Magnampy Soa 09:06
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
102
Antandroy maro tady Velontsoa Dodoka, Nofy Soa 09:31
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
103
Antandroy a cappella singing Tompezolo, Avisoa, Famboara, Solo, Velontsoro 05:38
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
104
Antandroy mandolina Zoembala, Magnampy Soa 06:01
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
105
Betsimisaraka morceaux tromba: Volamena and Volon'aomby Ron Emoff Jily 08:22
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
106
Betsimisaraka tromba music on valiha Jean Dedier 02:23
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
107
Sompatra Tsiariagna, Theodore 03:06
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
108
Tamby Tambazo vady Rabody Thierry 05:48
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
109
Betsimisaraka tromba performance on valiha Lepity 03:45
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
110
Izao no zavatra nikasaina Roger Jean Louis and family 04:37
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
111
Bastos Roger Jean Louis 03:26