The Vakodrazana or Hira gasy is a popular spectacle of Madagascar assimilable to the popular theatre or the operetta.
In the high plateaus Madagascar , the « Hira gasy » means an essential mass show to festive events. Attending this opera with the Malagasy sauce is both a pleasant relaxation activity and a teaching session so instructive. Throughout the show, made real, ancient tales, speeches and sermons are fredded in a language or rhythm. After a few hours, children and adults are happy to have spent a beautiful day of recreation.
Popular art of Malagasy high plateaus
Hira gasy or Malagasy opera is a popular art of national and international renown. It is an outdoor show animated by about 20 artists-country, about ten women and the same number of men or more.
Whatever the term addressed, real facts, antique tales, speeches, proverbs and appropriate biblical verses about it are amalgamated and elaborated in script then, transformed into lyrics of songs in order to serve as lessons of morals and awareness tools dedicated to the community.
Photo credit: Wikimedia – Saveoursmile
During the show, the “mpihira gasy” sing and dance under the tempo of a trumpet, 2 or 3 drums, some flutes and one or two archaic accordions, without the help of any electrical instrument suitable for open-air performances. No microphones or sound equipment.
Usually, the show begins with a presentation speech by the troop leader. Then comes the long sung scenario, pimented with encrypted and seasoned ensemble movements of acrobatic gymnastics of 2 or 3 young artists or an adult.
The costumes of the mpihira gasy
With the “mpihira gasy”, it is used to evolve on stage bare feet. For the garments, the elegance is fine.
The wearing of well-cut long dresses with bright colours is rigour for pretty artists. They are slightly maquillated and their hairstyles are carefully braided and arranged in "tanavoho" (sleeping divided into two braids intersected at the level of the neck). As for men, they wear "malabary" (longues flanelle shirts with large tiles) or redingotes with light colours. Each of them has on the head braided hats and decorated with a wide ribbon of fabric taken from that of women.
The costumes of “mpihira gasy” reflect the love of the people of the high plateaus of Madagascar for fashion. As for the show, he has nothing to envy the folklores of others. The proses well sought after and seasoned with songs and dances make the joy of all.
Main photo credit: Wikimedia – Heinonlein
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