"Hira Gasy" Top 5 Page for this destination Antananarivo Travelogue by Norali

Antananarivo Travel Guide: 186 reviews and 422 photos

View from Rovan' Ambohimanga, King' s place

Hira gasy: origin and design

Hira Gasy is Merina folk music. It's an expression means in a form of music theater.

Hira gasy was introduced by King Andrianampoinimerina, late XVIII century. After succeeding in gathering all Imerina region kingdoms, thus, building the only Merina kingdom, King Andrianampoinimerina tackled challenges so as to nourish the whole population. Tools were given to peasants, markets were settled, he had dykes built so as to fit out
Betsimitatatra ricefields plains.
Thousands of peasants worked there. In order to encourage them and convey royal guidelines, Andrianampoinimerina sent his best Mpikabary (orators), singers and dancers on building sites, roadworks and ricefields. As works lasted, turns were arranged so as to allow villages to send their bands. Those bands went into rivalries and thus, Hira Gasy acquired quality and originality from this frenzy competition.

Hira gasy: rules

One of plains that the great King had fit out

Each performance left a room for showing one's best compositions and tracks, for enhancing dance techniques. Rules were settled:

* Hira gasy show is lead by a music and lyrics manager. Like an orchestra conductor, he stands in the center of the band.

* Five themes are usually embraced in a Hira gasy show. A theme is made of five steps:

- Sasitehaka is the first step: an introduction with applauds (tehaka), drums, shouts.
Men take place while women prepare themselves: put on make-up, do their hair, put on clothes in bright red, green, voilet shades.. according to the band's choice. Costums that artists wore were inspired from what was worn by Palace people in XIX century, an elegant mix of traditional Malagasy and European styles.

- Kabary , or "speach" is the third step. The "speaker" declares the session open.
He drops his hat, and announces that show is about to begin, invites ladies to enter the stage. Ladies' entry is accompanied by a muted music and a theme introduction within a speach of 5 minutes.

- Renihira is the third step. This is the very basis of Hira gasy. A chosen theme (Indray miditra) is developed here. Most of the time, subjects are agriculture, marriage, trade, friendship, nature, etc. During the development that would last more than an hour, artists, backed by musicians, sing and make gesture interpretations.

- Dihy or dance is the fourth step. The artists (speaker and singers) sit on the ground and let musicians and dancers perform.
A speech "'Kabarindihy" is made to introduce the title, the subject of the song.
As for dance, two kinds:
* "Dihy" that is performed by two dancers, most of time acrobats.
* "Dihy irery" that is performed by a sole male dancer (sometimes with a female dancer). After a 15-minute-dance, a closing speech, "Kabary" is pronounced to introduce the end of performance .

- Zanakira , final step or "Vakodrazana" is an entertainment of twenty minutes before the band leaves the stage.

To have a succesful Hira gasy show, rather have two rival bands (or troops) to perform those oratorial contests and show their knowledge in three entries.
- first entry : "Vakisehatra". Each of two bands introduces their theme.
- second entry: "Sasi-kira". Similar entry as the first one but with stronger and more aggressive themes so as to heaten up competition's ambience.
- third entry: "Vakodrazana". Like in the sole band show, it closes Hira gasy show.

In general, the show may last the whole day (from morning to late night). It serves as a means to arouse society's awareness on given concerns or to give life to sacred ceremonies ("Famadihana" or reburial; circumcision).

Hira gasy: nowadays

Bands tour the whole country in winter

Nowadays, Hira gasy shows may be seen in streets of urban Tana. In the past, they used to perform in Avenue de l'Indépendance area and it seems that they still perform there. Avenue de l'indépendance is the main avenue in urban Tana, the very one in front of main train station.

Though it is a particular feature of Merina culture, it is a sought-after performance one in other provinces as well. Troops use to tour during winter (May- October).

Page Updated May 21, 2003
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

More Travelogues (3)

1 - 3 of 3

Reviews (71)

Favorites (12)
See All Outcool Web Bar, your best web...
Local Customs (7)
See All Zoma mahafinaritra: Cool Fridays
Nightlife (4)
See All Zoma mahafinaritra: Cool Fridays
Off The Beaten Path (7)
See All Second-hand book stalls
Shopping (7)
See All RL, Burberry, Gap, Dockers, Zara...
Restaurants (7)
See All Créole cuisine !
Sports & Outdoors (3)
See All Countryside Hiking

Things to Do (12)
See All Early birds, welcome !
What to Pack (1)
In Summer (Dec-March)
Transportation (4)
See All Bus anyone ? I'll rely on my feet and...
Tourist Traps (2)
See All Never walk in urban Tana streets at...
Warnings Or Dangers (4)
See All No metro neither tub in Tana
Hotels (1)
Rather an expensive hotel in urban Tana
Been to Antananarivo?
Share your travels with the world!

Comments (44)

angiebabe Jun 24, 2011 at 5:44 AM Report Abuse

The silk looks beautiful and I love your pics of the Malagasy style buildings. Been wanting to go to Madagascar for a long time - my Aussie Dad was passionate about a Rotary water project he was in charge of there.
Voalavobe Jul 27, 2010 at 3:30 PM Report Abuse

i'll be at tana the first two weeks of august, are there some concerts in this period?
Norali Mar 24, 2010 at 2:00 AM Report Abuse

Late rain, very probably. Compared to other years' summers. After Tana, what's next ?
Ramonq Mar 14, 2010 at 8:04 AM Report Abuse

I'm in Tana now until 20 March. Love the city, but it does rain a lot here.
lemurbaby Feb 6, 2010 at 8:34 AM Report Abuse

This is the place that has the best reputation for Indian food in Tana. It's consistently good and authentic. When people have their "Best samosas" or "best brochettes" conversation, this place always comes up as a winner.
mvtouring Jul 14, 2009 at 3:29 AM Report Abuse

What a great page, thanks for the wonderful info. I still need to make my way up the coast and visit Madagascar ;-)
monina_c Apr 29, 2008 at 8:59 PM Report Abuse

hey norali! :D same school of thought here! "if there is a traffic problem, a traffic cop caused it!" there are also a lot of hole in the wall second hand bookshops here! nice page, thanks for sharing!
markg67 Oct 9, 2007 at 4:58 PM Report Abuse

I was in Cameroon a while back. Two little boys begging - and I thought, aha! do they just want money or are they really hungry. Turns out they were really hungry :-( Please give them food!
sachara Jul 8, 2007 at 10:22 AM Report Abuse

Norali, it was great to read your very interesting page of Tana. So much excellent information ! Thank you !! Still four days to go and I will see it with my own eyes.
Ekahau Apr 7, 2007 at 4:54 PM Report Abuse

on the beautiful purple Decembers with the Jacaranda trees in bloom.