Disabled Musicians on the Move in Madagascar

[en français]

In 1998, Handicap International set up a project called "The Traveling Show" with the goal of promoting the artistic talents of people with disabilities. The project organized a national singing competition that attracted more than 20 bands. The juries seemed to really have their hands full as the bands vied with each other, with their best lyrics, arrangements, music styles and creativity.

As the final competition drew to a close, one jury member - a prominent and popular artist - found himself saying: "I frankly didn't know that our disabled youth had so much talent. I thought that they were better at handicrafts like embroidery, carpentry, or sewing... ".

His words underscore the reality of the challenge facing people with disabilities each and every day: rampant prejudice.

The 12 bands that were selected then took their act on the road throughout Madagascar's six provinces to great acclaim. Their talents were justly appreciated and their success was such that they were even asked to play at some private parties.

These bands have one thing in common, without prior agreement: they each have at least one song about the rights of persons with disabilities. One of these songs became the national anthem for the united movement for persons with disabilities. It's called "Mitovy isika" or "We are equal" and is always sung at each event, prompting a high representative of the government to publicly congratulate Berthieu, the disabled young man who wrote and composed the song.

There is no doubt that Handicap International's "Traveling Show" has given many artists the impetus to come together, but it is unfortunate to see that some time after the end of the project, many of the bands have vanished, due to lack of support.

However, there are four bands currently trying to rise up in the world of Malagasy show-business.

They are:

• Hery sy Lydia band (physically disabled) which has just released its second album
• Fabien Jamba band (blind) with one album under their belt
• Liva sy Nirina band (blind) also with one album
• Malala band (physically disabled) working on their first album

Television channels and radio stations have been broadcasting their hits, which span across various musical styles: slow dance, dombolo, tsapiky, salegy, reggae...

Once, we were present at a cabaret night to see the Fabien Jamba band and Beby, a disabled singer. It took place in a hotel well known to the Tananarivian public, and the atmosphere in the packed room was red hot.

As for us (two disabled couples), we proceeded to warm up the dance floor and the party-goers were quite surprised to see us dance!

The evening was a success, not just in terms of monetary profit but because the message of sensitization was well received: people with disabilities are full-fledged citizens.

At this time, disabled artists cannot count on their talents to live on, since Malagasy show-business is still fragile and it takes ample means to take part in it.

They are fully conscious of this and this is why they rely on other work as sources of income, without forgetting their love of music.

According to Hery, their time will come and what's important at first, is for disabled people to make their mark in the musical arena, as others have done in the realms of arts and crafts, of education, of health...

However, he adds, "If there are well-meaning people who want to sponsor me in this track, I am ready to make my career in it."

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