The oral tradition of Kabary, a true verbal jute and rural theatre in Madagascar!
If the Nobel Prize in Oral Philosophy existed three centuries ago, the Malagasy would have all won. They are very talented in the art of spreading their cultures through speeches. During the exchange of words in the Kabary (traditional speeches) speakers use word games and proverbs. No repetition is allowed. If you don’t, you lose your face in front of your emulet and all the assistance.
The role of Kabary in Malagasy
To Madagascar , it is used to start and season any event or ceremony by kabary . On these occasions, speakers are very eloquent when they are given the floor. Word exchanges between Mpikabary (orators) may take long hours, but they do not argue in the void. Expressions so wanted, quotes and proverbs of all kinds are used by speakers to allow them to spread their arts to converse and their knowledge. Their miseions are to save their honor and that of those they are responsible for representing. In all this, no derailing is permitted.
Kabary and youth education
In Madagascar, traditions , knowledge and instructions are transmitted from father to son through tales, proverbs and kabary. Thanks to the oral instructions inherited from their elders, the majority of adult people in all social categories are very skilled in the art of analyzing the facts and disserting on everyday life topics.
Previously, the community dialogues in the shadow of the centenary trees and the velvet talks between various generations have forged the art of making kabary with the Malagasy. During these almost daily occasions, the patriarchs instructed future generations to choose the words to be spoken, the expressions to be spoken and the proverbs to be set out for each circumstance. For any context, all gestures are carefully thought out.
A respected mpikabary is required to be perfectly persuasive. He must have a well-measured distribution for each speech emitted by his opponent and be able to measure his words without shocking anyone. He must not deviate from the subject at risk of losing his face.
The mpikabary, a role dedicated to men
In Malagasy, a man who does not know how to express himself in public is grotesque. At any meeting or ceremony, it is customary to speak to the patriarch, preferably to a male speaker. The female gent is obliged to shut up. The one that allows to speak is treated as "akoho vavy maneno" (inchuck).
Today, it is no longer the case. The love of Kabary has increased for some decades among young and less young people. Now there are many Malagasy orators in all regions of Red Island. Thanks to their passion for traditional speech, they are able to hold all assistance for hours.
Main photo credit: Wikimedia – Lemurbaby
Loading comments ...