Description:
Three pieces from a lamba, which is a large woven shawl, form the backdrop for the Madagascar block. The type of lamba and the manner in which it is worn, by both men and women, depends on the occasion and the person’s social position. In each oval, a beautifully embroidered portrait of a woman is surrounded by colourfully stitched local vegetation. Women in Madagascar love to do one another’s hair and the carefully reproduced sampling of hairstyles in this piece reflect the distinctive styles specific to each geographical region. For the Malagasy, hair, embroidery and lambas are all important aspects of daily living.

History:
Located off the east coast of Africa and known as the ‘Great Red Island’ to its neighboursbecause of the colour of the soil, Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest island. It is home to many unique plants and animals, half of all chameleons in the world, and over 800species of butterflies. 

The Malagasy are a mixture of Asians and Africans divided into 18 ethnic groups. The official languages are French and Malagasy with various dialects spoken in different regions. Although near Africa, Malagasy culture is closely linked to south-east Asia, specifically Indonesia. Respect for family and community is extremely important and is extended beyond the living. The dead are regarded with awe and reverence and play a role in daily life rarely seen in other cultures. A famous ritual, the famadihana, or turning of the bones, involves exhuming the dead, entertaining and talking to them and then reburying them with gifts in new lambas (woven shawls).

Malagasies have been coming to Canada since 1974 and a small group of about 400 is very active in Montreal.

Blockmaker

Sister Méline RAZAFINDRAVAO

Gallery Listing 8024