Madagascar Independence Day
by Julia Bignall
June 26, 2005

This is a special celebration for all Malagasy people. Pierrot and Fred gave us a Malagasy language lesson in preparation for our trip to Andronofasika village to join in the Independence Day festivities.

The main street of Andranofasika was filled with people – all dressed in their best clothes and wearing bright colours. Women emerged from the church in beautiful matching white silk dresses – no doubt these would be worth an absolute fortune, when you consider that most people only own one pair of shoes (if any). Happy school children sang proudly as they marched down the street. Ceremonial speeches ran on malagasy time (hours late) and only about every third word of each sentence could be heard (about three times over with PA system feedback!) on the intermittently working speaker. No one seemed phased by this however. Malagasy people certainly appreciate what they have, albeit little in terms of material possessions. We consuming westerners could certainly learn a lot from them. We strange white ‘vaza’ were an added attraction. It was a privilege to share in this experience.