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Madagascar - Information related to Intangible Cultural = Heritage

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- Date of deposit of instrument: = 31-03-2006
-=20 UNESCO Regional Officer for Intangible = Heritage:=20 Yoshida, Reiko

Following information is provided for easy reference, = but has=20 no official status. For comments or to update information, please = contact the=20 regional officer concerned via ich@unesco.org.

Masterpieces = Meetings=20 National=20 measures Activities=20 Contacts=20

The Proclamat= ions of=20 2001, 2003 and 2005 resulted in a list of 90 = outstanding=20 examples of the world=E2=80=99s intangible cultural = heritage.

<= A=20 class=3Danchor name=3DTOC1>Proclamation 2003: "The Woodcrafting = Knowledge of the=20 Zafimaniry"

The Woodcrafting Knowledge of the = Zafimaniry
=C2=A9Direction du=20 Patrimoine Culturel, Minist=C3=A8re de la Culture de = Madagascar

The Zafimaniry community is the sole = remaining=20 repository of a unique woodcraft culture previously widespread on the = island. In=20 the eighteenth century, the Zafimaniry settled in the remote wooded = region of=20 south-east Madagascar, seeking refuge from the deforestation that was = ravaging=20 much of Madagascar at that time. Today, approximately 25,000 Zafimaniry = live in=20 some one hundred villages and hamlets scattered in the highlands of this = region.=20

For generations, Zafimaniry foresters, carpenters and craftworkers = have=20 developed a body of practical knowledge and skills revolving around = wood. This=20 craft tradition bears witness to the central role of this material in = all=20 aspects of life and death. Zafimaniry proficiency in forestry and wood = sculpting=20 can be seen in constructions and everyday objects. Practically all = wooden=20 surfaces =E2=80=93 walls, window frames, posts, beams, stools, chests, = tools =E2=80=93 display=20 elaborate ornamentation. The Zafimaniry use twenty different endemic = species of=20 tree, each adapted to a specific type of construction or decorative = function.=20 Houses and tombs are assembled entirely with traditional mortise and = tenon=20 joints, without the use of nails, hinges or other metal hardware. The=20 traditional granaries, perched on round piles, are a distinctive feature = of the=20 mountain landscape. The geometric patterns are highly codified and = reflect not=20 only the community=E2=80=99s austronesian origins but also the Arab = influences in=20 Malagasy culture. Although the number of motifs is limited, the = creativity of=20 the craftworkers means that no two pieces are identical. These motifs = carry rich=20 symbolic significance related to Zafimaniry beliefs and values. For = example, the=20 tanamparoratra (spider=E2=80=99s web) symbolizes family ties, while the = papintantely=20 (honeycomb) represents community life. The ornamentation also informs = about=20 roles and social standing within the community.

For several decades, the Zafimaniry have sold statuettes, decorative = pieces=20 and everyday objects in nearby towns to ensure their survival. However, = this=20 fragile community risks becoming relegated to the role of mere suppliers = of=20 handicrafts to the tourist industry. Moreover, the process of = deforestation=20 threatens the Zafimaniry=E2=80=99s principal source of income.

Disclaimer=20 =C2=B7 Privacy=20 Policy =C2=B7 Accessibi= lity =C2=B7=20 Copyright =C2=A9 UNESCO = 1995-2008

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Madagascar - Information related to Intangible Cultural = Heritage

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<= A=20 class=3Danchor name=3DTOC1>Proclamation 2003: "The Woodcrafting = Knowledge of the=20 Zafimaniry"