You are currently browsing the monthly archive for October 2008.
This is the result of the investigation led by CAPSULE Agency (+261 33 11 670 20). They asked the opinion of 444 people over 18, living in Antananarivo, if they believed that Malagasy people have got involved in learning and practicing English language.
As we can read on the graphic below, 87% of the people answered YES. Yes, people are ready to learn and to improve their English. YES, English is part of evolution. YES, they believe that English is needed to face the so called globalization. And this is not the only reason. As many international companies have established here in Madagascar, most of the work positions now require a fluent English. English Language is even taught in primary school…
We can already feel the change. Let me just enumerate the English media we now have in Madagascar: English Corner in Midi Madagasikara (a cooperation with ICE Club), Tribune Issues in Madagascar Tribune, Mada English Journal, Sounds Like Theater on Radio Mada FM100.8 (an ICE Club production), Move and Win on Feon’Imerina Radio FM101.6 (another ICE Club production), Teen Talk Show (a cooperation with the US Embassy and the Peace Corps) on TVM, a web site (www.iceclub-mada.com)…
If few years ago, we had nothing but Malagasy and French, now we have English and even Chinese (CCTV) radio and TV broadcasts. We can follow BBC, Deutche Welle news. We also can tune on BBC and VOA. And we will have CNN soon.
YES, Malagasy people want, need, like, learn, practice… ENGLISH.
ariniaina
Madagascar will host the 11th summit of the African Union (2009). This will be another challenge for us Malagasy.
The President Marc Ravalomanana, yesterday, during his weekly talk on TVM (the National TV), asked a cooperation with all Malagasy citizens in order to show to all that we are able to realize great things.
Though, many of us (Malagasy) wonder if we could have an excuse and escaped this hosting. Many believe that organizing such international event is not a priority for our country. Will we spend a lot of money again in order to quickly repair the roads, creating new decorations for the City (trying to hide our poverty)… just like the Island Games? Will the suppliers and organizers be right away paid this time?
Well, for the Island Games, sponsoring and financial help were not an obligation but the decision to help depended on each country. This time, Madagascar will not spend much because the Union will be in charge of all the expenses.
A benefit we can get from it: the world will be concentrated on us during this event. If we manage to impress them, tourists, investors may be interested in our country.
Starting from now hotels and guest houses are doing their best to get ready for the D Day, wanting to offer the best service quality (comfortable rooms, internet connection, International TV channels…). For those who are interested in creating new hotels, this summit can be a good occasion to start because the rooms we now have are not enough for the 5,000 guests who will land here and attend the summit.
ariniaina
I think that the gov should have reacted since December (during Christmas and New Year festivities) when those sellers started to settle the sidewalks of the city. Now, it becomes hard for them to handle out this problem of sellers blocking the streets.
If you are on the side of the gov, you will understand that such activities are not allowed. So now the “Commune Urbaine d’Antananarivo” has warmed those sellers that within few days they will be obliged to enforce the law and punish those “street sellers”. Some guys from the Fivondronana already started again the “hide and seek” party with those “outlaws”. This is how it is going on. The sellers come with the goods they are going to sell in a big bag (sobika). If someone notices the Fivondronana’s truck, they quickly grab this bag and run away. After a while, they will be back when the Fivondronana will be away.
If you are on the side of the sellers, you will understand that this is their job, their source of income because those men and women have their families to feed and their bills to pay.
If you are on the side of the customers, you will agree with those “street sellers” because you have the opportunity to do your shopping on the way back home just after work.
If you are on the side of a simple pedestrian, you will be upset because you will have to go on the streets since the sidewalks are blocked.
If you are a car driver, you will be completely mad because of the heavy traffic that this “business” brings.
Well, if you are a simple reader and have never met those “street sellers” of Antananarivo (Behoririka, Analakely, Mahamasina, Anosy, 67Ha…), you may find this story funny.
ariniaina
Sunday (October 19th,2008), my brother, my sister and her husband and I went to Imerintsiatosika. For those who do not know it, Imerintsiatosika is well known for its carting and scooters’ races. So, Sunday, it was the scooter-riders championship of Mada. All my relatives and I are found of scooters so we never miss such event.
On the way to Imerintsiatosika (30km from Tana –National Road #1), we could already meet many groups of scooter riders. Well, I have to say that this event is more for young people.
We arrived at the place at 1.00p.m, the first part of the race was over. This first part was a race of 400 meters between 2 riders.
The second part started at 2.30 p.m., so we prepared some sandwiches for lunch. I could notice that THB (the best local beer) was the special drink on that day. Well, girls were more Fresh than beer, especially because of the new flavor of Fresh that STAR offered (Apple, Raspberry, Mint) apart from the usual one (Panache). I like the Apple. Yeah, but I still prefer the original one. 
So, at 2.30p.m., we went to the tribune to follow the race. This second part was a race of 2 km between a group of 16 riders .A few minutes after the first try (because there is a try before the real race), some guys started to fight just near our seats. My sister ran away but I had time to turn my video camera on and shoot the fight. My brother was so happy. He could not believe I could be courageous and stayed there. lol For legally reason, I am afraid, I would not upload the video. Here is the reason of the fight. A guy accidentally dropped a bottle of beer at the back of another guy. This last got angry even if the first guy apologized. So they started to argue and ended up with punches, kicks, swear words.
Back to the scooter race, I am personally glad that such event can happen here in Madagascar. And I tell you, some riders are amazingly good. It is so exciting to see all of those young guys who try to manage by themselves to take part into the race. You know, it is not like abroad or like car races where each participant has their own technicians, manager, coach. Here, they do everything (fixing, training, clothing, paying the participation fees…) by their own or with the help of a few friends and the encouragement of relatives.
Of course, there was an ambulance and a nursery (just in case). Fortunately, there were no serious crash, only little surgeries.
On the way back home, we could see scooters every where . It was so cool. Well, there were some unlucky people who got their scooters broken down. Some drove dangerously fast. Some stopped for a while for more beers, some others for some katsaka (corn) or flitters.
ariniaina
Long time ago, it was a shame to have things made in Madagascar. I’ll admit that at that time, the « Vita Gasy » got easily spoiled. Anyway, it is normal that people always prefer things that are from abroad. American people want a pair of Adidas sneakers when French people will choose Nike ones. We, Malagasy people want both of them. lol Or even more, now, that Chinese products have invaded the market of Behoririka, we wear Chinese clothes.
Before, you appeared to be poor to people when you use Malagasy items. No, you even appeared not to be “normal”.
I am glad when I noticed that things have changed. Nowadays, people feel proud to be Malagasy and like wearing Malagasy clothes, bags, sandals, bracelets… And it is so nice to meet people on the streets wearing T-shirt with Malagasy “themes” such as Gasy ka manja (pretty Malagasy), I love Mada, Mada Gasy k’Art, Gasy milay (Gasy cool) …
This change does not concern only Malagasy wear. My lovely Grandma, for instance, has a very nice pair of armchairs and a sofa, all made with bamboo. Wonderful! The soap I use is Nofy Vanilla of Savonnerie Tropicale. My family uses the Mampiada maso TV aerial. Homeopharma has produced shampoo, soaps, medicines… We have foods as well: yogurt, oil, biscuits, beer…
Unfortunately, there are still products which are not that “good” such as Malagasy movies. But I believe they are on the way to improve.
I wonder when we will get a new version of Karenjy or other cars Made in Madagascar.
ariniaina
see also http://moonlightgirl.wordpress.com/2008/10/24/beautiful-malagasy-handicrafts/
Izaho aloha tsy azo atao hoe mpanao gazety na dia maniry te ho izany aza. Ity koa angamba tsy hoe natao ho an’ny mpanao gazety rehetra fa ho an’ny sasantsasany izay tafalatsaka amin’ny fitantarana ny tranga politika eto amintsika.
Malalaka ve ny fanaovan-gazety eto amintsika ? Araky ny fahitan’ny olon-tsotra (sa andeha atao hoe olom-pirenena) toa ahy dia malalaka ny asa fanaovan-gazety eto amintsika. Tsy ny firenentsika no tsy mahafeno izay zo izay fa ny orinasa fampahalalam-baovao iasan’ny mpanao gazety ihany.
Asa aloha ny mpihaino fampahalalam-baovao sy mpamaky gazety raha toa ahy fa leo an’ny zavatra lazaindry zalahy aho.
Ry zareo ao amin’ny MBS dia mpomba ny fitondrana dia tsara laza ery izay zavatra rehetra ataon’ny Filoha sy ny mpomba azy rehetra na hatrany amin’ny zavatra kely tsy dia manao ahoana akory aza. Mazava ho azy fa mody tsy tantaraina ny tsy tomombana rehetra. Dia kihana marary ho an’ny tsy mpomba. . Ohatra izao vao omaly dia nisy resaka momba ny mpivarotra eny amin’ny arabe manodidina ny Hopitaly Befelatanana – Anosy. Ekena anie fa raràna ilay ataon’ny mpivarotra e fa dia araraotina izany anomezan-tsiny ny sasany fotsiny ; izay no tena ventin’ny hafatra.
Fa angaha nareo mihevitra fa ny mpomba ny Filoha ihany no manana io toetra io ? Ny VIVA koa ohatra mba manana ho kihanina. Resaka teny Besarety izy ity. Hoe tokony aloa eny amin’ny Kominina hono ny hetra-na parking. Dia ilay fivarotana koa moa tsy nahalala dia naloa tany amin’ny Filoham-pokontany ity vola . Dia indro indray ary le kihana e : olona toa izany ve hono no hametrahan’ny Filoha fahatokisana? Nefa efa be izay fotona sy vola lany tamin’ny fampiofanana ny Sefom-pokontany manerana ny nosy izay. Hitanareo amin’izany ?
Nisy namana mpanao gazety izay niasa tao amin’ny TV Plus taloha nilaza tamiko hoe : « Izahay angaha moa mpomba an-dRatsiraka fa niasa tao dia tsy maintsy e ».
Mbola ohatra fotsiny ireo an.
Dia mba ahoana izany ny momba ny olom-pirenena ; vaovao inona marina no tokony arahany ?
Ambondrona
When Ambondrona band started out, one of my cousin said she did not like their songs because they only copy on Scorpion but as we all liked the band, she changed her mind and finally loved them.
At my office, one of my colleague invited us to a karaoke party and everybody was in. Finally, on the D Day, only a few people came. Still at the party, a guy from our team who usually drinks beer could not refuse an invitation to have whisky.
I was used to be dressed like men (with large pants and T-shirt) and all my relatives and friends wanted me to be a real girl by having long hair and wearing clothes for girls. I did not like the idea but as they all insisted, I finally gave up and follow their advice.
My best friend never wanted to drink beer but as we all did so, he started with fresh and now he can have THB.
There is a girl at work who changes her age all the time. It depends on the age of people surrounding her. If we are 25, she is 25. Or if we are 30, she is 30. Well, I’m wondering if she would be10 if we were 10 too.
The idea of those examples is: we are not what we are. We are what the others want us to be. We cannot say NO when we disagree; instead we lie or we give up and accept. We easily accept because we do not want to be different. Have you ever agreed with what your friend said though you did not totally share their opinion? Here is a typical example: look, those green pair of shoes are great, what do you think about them? Here is the usual answer: Oh yes, they are great! (even if you prefer the orange ones lol)
Madajazzcar is a festival of jazz music organized here in Madagascar every year since 1989. Next year, then, Madajazzcar will celebrate its 20th anniversary.
Honestly, I do not personally like jazz music. But yesterday (Monday, October 13th, 2008), I got two invitations for the Madajazzcar concert from my office. Well, it is not usual for Malagasy people to go out on Mondays (we only have outings on week-ends), I decided to attend the show anyway. I said to myself that it could be a good occasion for me to discover jazz music.
As I knew that Andry loved jazz music. I invited him to come to the concert with me. So we went there together.
Guitar Wood Band
The show started a little bit later than 7.00 p.m. with “Guitar Wood Band”. In the band, I could recognize Rolf, Naday, Fataka. There were two other guys. I found their names – Joël Rabesolo and Lucas Jaojoby – in the brochure I took at the gate at the end of the show. I felt astonished and happy at the same time, okay, let’s say, impressed that these young guys of “Guitar Wood Band” fight for the protection of the environment through their music. They even had a little story in English.
Datita Rabeson
Then, Datita Rabeson and his band came on the stage. Andry was extremely happy. He told me that Datita is the greatest jazzman of Madagascar. Well, I have to admit it; their music was just wonderful (a little bit long anyway because each composition lasted more than 10 minutes).
African Jazz Pioneers
Madajazzcar is not only for Malagasy jazzmen but for many other jazzmen from all over the world as well. Yesterday, it was the turn of the famous South African jazz band “African Jazz Pioneers”. The South African Ambassador of Madagascar was really proud to introduce the band to Malagasy people. I was surprised when he said that “African Jazz Pioneers” would make us all vibe and dance. I know, Malagasy people are not used to dance at a show (the young generation starts to change) but the Ambassador was right, we all vibe on our seats. They were really cool.
I would not say that I fell in love with jazz music after this show but I would not deny that it is a good one.
While watching the singers, I could notice one thing that the three jazz bands of yesterday commonly had. They did not have eyes interaction with the audience or did but very rarely. They were all seriously concentrated on their guitars, keyboards, drum… while their heads were following the rhythms. Other thing, they had no specific look; they could wear jeans, tee shirt or whatever they wanted; a guy had long hair… This was not the case of the “African Jazz Pioneers” band, they all wore their Sunday clothes [cute]. We quitted the show while the public claimed for one more song from the South African band. It was 9:50 p.m. It was late for me because I would still have to go to work early in the morning the day after.
To sum up: My Monday evening? It was cool.
ariniaina
I have never liked thriller movies where there are a lot of killings. I should know that all of those terrific and horrible acts are just directions; but the making of is just so well done that I still feel the shock real.
Sad things or shocking things (I cannot decide which word is more appropriate) happen nowadays. We can hear, from all the media, crimes that you could never believe can be real. A taxi driver found dead in a well; the car had been stolen. A sliced body discovered on top of stairs of Ankadivato (who did not sigh hearing about Michaela’s murder?). Not later than 2 weeks, a 6 years old girl had been raped then killed by her stepfather. An old couple had been strangled in their house (this couple was a colleague’s parents). A very young DJ and his girlfriend killed by their close friend (more disgusting, some girls were implicated in these murders). How many newborn babies had been discovered dead in plastic bags or in canals? … Two close friends lost their temper, started to fight between them and died from stabs. A husband came home drunk, beat up his wife who died from that. Hold on, the story is not finished; the neighbors who wanted to make justice, killed the husband. A nephew brought some bandits and killed his uncle in order to steel the gold this last had in his luggage. An old lady staid alone home with the maid. This last beat her with a big stick and left with some valuables. Fortunately, the old lady could receive care on time and was saved.
I know I have forgotten to relate some more horrible crimes. I am so sorry dear readers but I cannot keep on. I feel my stomach heavy. I have a terrible headache. I feel sad and frightened at the same time because I really do not feel safe. It seems like everywhere, anytime, for any reason, anyone can kill me or one of my family or one of my friends or maybe one of my colleagues or one of my neighbors. It seems like I can not stop hearing in my mind the terrifying music they play in movies when horrible thing will happen.
Those crimes everywhere, are they effect of movies? Or media (relating the crimes in details and then give the ideas to psychopaths)? Or maybe the result of life which goes harder and harder? Or poverty? Or jealousy? or envy? Or just evolution?(who knows?)
ariniaina
Madagascar had its first Barcamp on Saturday, October 04th , 2008 at
IVOTEL Ambohidahy (Antananarivo), organized by FOKO and Global Voice.
The concept of Barcamp is to gather all people keen on computer, internet, 
open source technologies, including bloggers.
All the bloggers of Madagascar could meet then on that special day. And one by one, they shared knowledge, experiences and advice.
Raberimanana, the president of Madagascar au temps tic ( a Malagasy living in Paris) was really impressed of the evolution of the Malagasy youngsters.
It was so great to see the FOKO members actively taking pictures, shooting videos and instantly sharing the Barcamp news to the world.
The Barcamp Madagascar was a real success. A big hand to all the organizers.
Impatiently waiting for the next Barcamp Madagascar.
ariniaina
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcamp
www.iceclub-mada.com/news/122-BarCamp-in-Madagascar.html
http://www.barcamp-madagascar.net/antananarivo/
www.flickr.com/photos/foko_madagascar/2911748344/
www.flickr.com/photos/foko_madagascar/2915254440/
www.sixthman.wordpress.com/2008/10/08/my-2-hours-of-barcamp-madagascar/
www.purplecorner.com/2008/09/26/barcamp-madagascar-with-malagasy-best/
www.globalvoicesonline.org/2008/08/29/madagascar-barcamp-set-to-foster-ict/
www.gazetyavylavitra.wordpress.com/2008/10/04/barcamp-madagascar-2008/
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