The Valiha: Madagascar’s iconic musical instrument

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The valiha is a stringed musical instrument unique to Madagascar. Associated with the Imerina region, it is also played in every region of the island. In the South, it is known as the marovany! The most renowned ambassadors of the valiha are Rajery and Justin Vali, two talented musicians who brought this instrument to the international stage.

History and Culture Surrounding the Valiha

The origins of the valiha are unclear but likely Indonesian. Historians suggest that a significant portion of the Malagasy population has Indonesian roots. Variants of the valiha, such as the rhatong, exist in Indonesia and the Malaysian mountains. The instrument is believed to have been introduced to the island during the first millennium CE.  

Ancient stories, legends, and poems describe performances featuring the valiha, notably Tondrak’i Betsiboka. It seemed omnipresent in the lives of the Malagasy ancestors (Ntaolo). The valiha was the first instrument introduced to the court of the Merina kings in the 16th century. It was played during religious ceremonies honoring the ancestors, spiritual healing sessions, and trance rituals in the South.  

During festive occasions, the vadiha or betoroky (other names for the traditional instrument) is always present at events such as vodiondry, famadihana (exhumation ceremonies), and didim-poitra (circumcision ceremonies). The valiha is used in all types of Malagasy traditional music, including tsapiky (South), salegy (North), Sakalava music (West), and kalon’ny fahiny (Highlands).

Crafting the Valiha

The valiha is made from a segment of bamboo with unperforated ends. A long longitudinal slit serves as a soundhole, and the original strings were made by peeling longitudinal fibers from the bamboo’s bark. The ends of each peeled fiber (string) remained attached and were lifted above the surface by small bridges carved from dried gourd bark (a type of pumpkin). These bridges are placed around the bamboo.  

The original fibrous strings produced muffled percussion-like sounds. Later, with the availability of metal wires, the strings were upgraded to metal, significantly improving the sound quality and creating a distinctive tone reminiscent of a zither. The melodies are romantic and intimate.  

The string ends are embedded into the bamboo at the nodes, secured, and covered with hairy zebu leather. The bridges, which can be made of wood or bamboo, are adjustable along the instrument to modify the sound. The bamboo is often adorned with beautiful carvings and traditional motifs.

Discovering and Getting to Know the Valiha

Valiha makers are not widely recognized, and no registered brands exist. These instruments are sold in markets featuring Malagasy handicrafts. While strolling along Independence Avenue in Antananarivo, you might encounter a street vendor playing the valiha to attract passersby, especially vazaha (foreign tourists) visiting Madagascar!  

To listen to valiha music, the best references remain Rajery and Justin Vali. Another notable international artist associated with this instrument is Donné Andriambaliha. Let’s not forget traditional songs, particularly those from the early 19th century, such as the afindrafindrao played on the valiha. 

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