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Valiha and the music of the Spirit House

World Routes World Routes in Madagascar

Lucy Duran travels to the island of Madagascar and presents songs accompanying exhumation and reburial ceremonies, the ancestral zither, and also visits a Spirit House.

Lucy Duran continues her journey through Madagascar recording the ancient music of this mysterious island. This week she hears songs that accompany the important exhumation and reburial ceremonies and visits the village of her guide, Justin Vali. Whilst there she hears the delicate sound of the ancestral zither, visits a Spirit House, finds out why you can't whistle after 6pm.

In September 2009, World Routes travelled to Madagascar, the giant Indian Ocean island off the coast of Mozambique - East of the African continent. This mysterious island is full of extraordinary animal and plant life - home to more unique species than just about anywhere on the planet. It's in the grip of political turmoil and its people are some of the poorest in the world. But for us, what makes this island of strange dreams, ancestral worship and sorcery so special is its music. And, like the natural life, its unique evolution - neither African nor Asian - makes it a wonderful melting pot of instruments and styles. Throughout 2010, we'll be broadcasting the recordings we made for World Routes.

Two weeks ago on the programme, Lucy was introduced to the music of Madagascar by Justin Vali and his Malagasy Orkestra. This week she continues a journey of her own to discover some of that music in its true context. She's joined by Justin and a great friend of his; someone he calls his brother. An instrument-maker, musician, producer and - it's fair to say - a Malagasy music fanatic: Paddy Bush (who also happens to be Kate's brother).
Lucy learns about the ceremony of reburial - the bones of ancestors are removed from their tombs every 7 years and danced around, re-dressed and introduced to new members of the family. This joyous occasion is accompanied by uplifting music for flute. Lucy and the World Routes team then travel deep into the high interior. They visit a zebu (the holy cattle of Madagascar) market and record music in the remote and magical village that Justin was born in.

Presented by Lucy Duran
Produced by James Parkin

Available now

1 hour

Last on

Sat 16 Jan 2010 15:00
麻豆社 Radio 3

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Music and featured items

  • Music and the spirits

    Lucy Duran explains the importance of spirits and ancestors on the island of Madagascar.

    Duration: 06:35

  • Music Played

    • Rakotozafy

      Tromba Tune

      Performers: Justin Vali & Paddy Bush

      • 麻豆社 Recording made at the Hotel Victory, Tulear, 14th September 2009.

    • Rakotofra Junior Ensemble

      Pivahiny Mody (The visitors go home),

      Composer: Trad

      • Recorded by the 麻豆社 outside Antananarivo, Madagascar, Friday 4th September 2009.

  • Reburial ceremony and music

    Lucy learns about the role of the music in exhumation and reburial ceremonies.

    Duration: 04:58

  • Music Played

    • Rakotofra Junior Ensemble

      Ory kintana anakitelo (The 3 Stars)

      Composer: Trad

      • Recorded by the 麻豆社 outside Antananarivo, Madagascar, Friday 4th September 2009.

  • Valiha

    Paddy Bush and Justin Vali play a farewell song on bamboo zithers called, Valiha.

    Duration: 06:58

  • Music Played

    • Justin Vali & Paddy Bush

      Veloma (Farewell Song)

      Composer: Trad

      • 麻豆社 Recording made at the Hotel Victory, Tulear, 14th September 2009.

  • Travelling to a village

    Lucy travels to a remote village. She describes the rural conditions on the journey.

    Duration: 04:08

  • Music Played

    • Justin Vali and Ensemble

      Unknown traditional piece

      • 麻豆社 Recording made at Ambohimanga Palace near Antananarivo, Madagascar, Thursday 3rd September 2009.

  • Fierehana village

    In the remote village of Fierehana Lucy describes a scene reminiscent of centuries ago.

    Duration: 09:40

  • Music Played

    • Justin Vali with musicians from Fierehana Village

      A traditional piece from the Trano be

      Composer: Trad

      • 麻豆社 Recording made in Fierehana Village, Madagascar, Saturday 5th September 2009.

    • Justin Vali with musicians from Fierehana Village

      Afindrafindrao

      Composer: Trad

      • 麻豆社 Recording made in Fierehana Village,.

  • Anchestral Valiha

    Justin Vali demonstrates a traditional ancestral valiha.

    Duration: 10:10

  • Music Played

    • Justin Vali

      Ancestral Valiha demonstration

      • 麻豆社 Recording made in Fierehana Village, Madagascar, Saturday 5th September 2009.

    • Justin Vali with musicians from Fierehana Village

      Rambalamanana

      Composer: Trad

      • 麻豆社 Recording made in Fierehana Village, Madagascar, Saturday 5th September 2009.

  • A Spirit House

    Paddy explains the complex forbidden rules when being in and near a Spirit House.

    Duration: 08:33

  • Music Played

    • Unknown - unknown

    • Unknown - unknown

  • The ritual in a Spirit House

    Lucy describes the scene in the Spirit House.

    Duration: 04:44

  • Music Played

    • Unknown - unknown

Broadcast

  • Sat 16 Jan 2010 15:00
    麻豆社 Radio 3

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