Songs by Dama Mahaleo

Abstract

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size Notes 1. Although Mahaleo is by far Dama's best-known band, he is also a member of the Madagascar All Stars, who comprise some of the most celebrated ‘diasporic’ musicians of Malagasy origin. He also performs solo and in other ad hoc musical groupings. 2. Since writing this article, Raoul, brother of Dama and fellow Mahaleo, suddenly died on 3 September 2010 of a heart attack at the age of fifty-nine. His passing was mourned in Madagascar and Europe alike. The remaining six Mahaleo have confirmed that they will continue their preparations for their fortieth anniversary concert in 2012, just as Raoul would have wanted them to. 3. Apart from Dama's own commentary, I am also grateful to Aina Randrianaivosoa, who provided me with additional explanations for the notes below. 4. Angivy, a vegetable stock made from a slightly bitter vegetable; the vegetable is considered good for one's health in Madagascar. 5. Anamalaho, ‘brede’. 6. Henankisoa, literally pork meat and ravintoto, literally ground-down leaves, is a heavy meal served with rice that makes people sleepy, so drivers remain calm and stop often for travellers who need to pee. It is a prestigious meal for Malagasies and, depending on the region, is made with either pork, poultry or only with grated coconut. 7. Ranon'ampango is water heated in a marmite with the remainders of the rice stuck against the inside of the cooking pot. It is usually drunk at the end of a meal. Because of its golden or brown colour, it is also called ranovola (lit: ‘golden water’).