06 Nov. 2018 The valiha is a string instrument uniquely characteristic of Madagascar. Associated with Imerina, it is played throughout all regions of the island. In the South, it's called the marovany! The most renowned ambassadors are Rajery and Justin Vali, two talented musicians who have brought the valiha to the international stage!

History and Culture Surrounding the Valiha

The origins of the valiha remain unclear and undefined, but they are likely Indonesian. According to historians, a significant portion of the Malagasy population descended from Indonesia. Variants of the valiha (the rhatong) are found in that country, as well as in the mountains of Malaysia. The instrument was likely introduced to the island during the first millennium of our era. Ancient stories, tales, and poems recount valiha performances, notably Tondrak'i Betsiboka. It appeared to be omnipresent in the lives of the Malagasy of old (the Ntaolo). As the first instrument to enter the court of Merina kings in the 16th century, the valiha is played during religious ceremonies grounded in ancestor veneration and spiritist healing sessions, as well as trance rituals in the South. During festive times, the vadiha or betoroky (alternative names for this traditional instrument) is ever-present: vodiondry, famadihana, didim-poitra (fahasoavana, circumcision), and more. It features in all forms of traditional Malagasy music: tsapiky (south), salegy (north), Sakalava music (west), kalon'ny fahiny (highlands).

Crafting the Valiha

The valiha is made from a section of bamboo with both ends left intact. A long longitudinal slit serves as the sound hole, and the strings were originally created by peeling back the longitudinal fibers of the bark. The two ends of each separated fiber (string) remained attached, then lifted above the body by small bridges carved from dried cucurbitaceous bark (a type of squash). The bridges are arranged around the bamboo. These fibrous strings produced muffled percussion-like tones. Later, when metal wire became available, metal strings were adopted. The sound quality improved dramatically, with a characteristic timbre quite similar to the zither. The melodies are romantic and intimate… The string ends are embedded in the bamboo at the nodes, secured firmly, and covered with hairy zebu hide. The bridges can be made of wood or bamboo and moved up and down to adjust the instrument's tonal quality. The bamboo is also adorned with magnificent traditional carvings and motifs!

Meeting the Valiha and Getting to Know It

Valiha makers are not widely known, and there are no registered brands. The instruments are sold in all markets offering Malagasy crafts. While strolling along Independence Avenue in Antananarivo, you might just encounter an itinerant valiha seller playing to attract passersby, especially vazaha tourists on a trip to Madagascar! To hear the valiha, the essential references remain Rajery and Justin Vali. Another must-know international artist when discussing this instrument: Donné Andriambaliha. Let us not forget traditional songs, particularly those from the early 19th century, the afindrafindrao performed on valiha.

Culture and Tradition Tourism Charlène Nomadays SEO writer from the very beginning at Nomadays, now content manager and head of communications, Charlène has accompanied the adventure from its inception with passion and dedication. After spending seven years in Asia—from China to Thailand, through Mongolia and South Korea—she has made travel a way of being in the world. A lover of words, nature, and human connection, she strives to convey in her writing a sensitive, committed, and responsible vision of tourism. For her, each article is a bridge between curiosity, respect, and wonder.