Editing Madagascar (section)

===Arts===
{{Main|Music of Madagascar}}

[[File:Hira gasy dancer Madagascar.jpg|thumb|upright|A [[Hiragasy]] dancer.]]
A wide variety of oral and written [[Literature of Madagascar|literature]] has developed in Madagascar. One of the island's foremost artistic traditions is its oratory, as expressed in the forms of ''[[hainteny]]'' (poetry), ''kabary'' (public discourse) and ''ohabolana'' (proverbs).<ref>Fox (1990), p. 39</ref><ref name="Madatana">{{cite web |last = Ravalitera |first = P |title = Origine Confuse des Vazimba du Betsiriry |work = Journal Express |publisher = Madatana.com |url=http://www.madatana.com/article-origine-confuse-des-vazimba-du-betsiriry.php |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110714013534/http://www.madatana.com/article-origine-confuse-des-vazimba-du-betsiriry.php |access-date =11 November 2010 |archive-date = 14 July 2011|url-status=live |language=fr}}</ref> An epic poem exemplifying these traditions, the ''[[Ibonia]]'', has been handed down over the centuries in several different forms across the island, and offers insight into the diverse mythologies and beliefs of traditional Malagasy communities.<ref>{{cite web |title = Ibonia: the text in 17 sections |last = Unknown |publisher = University of Virginia |access-date =15 November 2010 |url = http://xroads.virginia.edu/~Public/Ibonia/text.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110605051817/http://xroads.virginia.edu/~Public/Ibonia/text.html |url-status=dead |archive-date = 5 June 2011}}</ref> This tradition was continued in the 20th century by such artists as [[Jean-Joseph Rabearivelo]], who is considered Africa's first modern poet,<ref>Rabearivelo (2007), p. x</ref> and [[Elie Rajaonarison]], an exemplar of the new wave of Malagasy poetry.<ref>Auzias & Labourdette (2007), p. 142</ref> Madagascar has also developed a rich [[Music of Madagascar|musical heritage]], embodied in dozens of regional musical genres such as the coastal ''[[salegy]]'' or highland ''[[hiragasy]]'' that enliven village gatherings, local dance floors and national airwaves.<ref name="Randrianary">Randrianary (2001), pp.&nbsp;109–137</ref> Madagascar also has a growing culture of classical music fostered through youth academies, organizations and orchestras that promote youth involvement in classical music.

The plastic arts are also widespread throughout the island. In addition to the tradition of silk weaving and lamba production, the weaving of [[Raffia palm|raffia]] and other local plant materials has been used to create a wide array of practical items such as floor mats, baskets, purses and hats.<ref name=handicrafts/> Wood carving is a highly developed art form, with distinct regional styles evident in the decoration of balcony railings and other architectural elements. Sculptors create a variety of furniture and household goods, ''aloalo'' funerary posts, and wooden sculptures, many of which are produced for the tourist market.<ref name=Terrible>Heale & Abdul Latif (2008), pp.&nbsp;108–111</ref> The decorative and functional woodworking traditions of the [[Zafimaniry]] people of the central highlands was inscribed on UNESCO's [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists|list of Intangible Cultural Heritage]] in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title = Woodcrafting Knowledge of the Zafimaniry |publisher = UNESCO |access-date = 24 August 2012 |url = http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/RL/00080 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121023071416/http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/RL/00080 |url-status=live |archive-date = 23 October 2012}}</ref>

Among the Antaimoro people, the production of paper embedded with flowers and other decorative natural materials is a long-established tradition that the community has begun to market to eco-tourists.<ref name=Terrible/> Embroidery and [[drawn thread work]] are done by hand to produce clothing, as well as tablecloths and other home textiles for sale in local crafts markets.<ref name=handicrafts/> Malagasy artists such as [[Madame Zo]] have incorporated textile traditions of Madagascar directly into their work.<ref name="Artnet News">{{cite web|url= https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/05/04/is-antananarivo-the-capital-of-madagascar-africas-new-art-capital|title= Is Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, Africa's newest art hub?|website= theartnewspaper.com|date= 4 May 2023|access-date= 9 Jul 2023|archive-date= 12 June 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230612102331/https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/05/04/is-antananarivo-the-capital-of-madagascar-africas-new-art-capital|url-status= live}}</ref> A small but growing number of fine art galleries in Antananarivo, and several other urban areas, offer paintings by local artists, and annual art events, such as the Hosotra open-air exhibition in the capital, contribute to the continuing development of fine arts in Madagascar.<ref>{{cite news |title = Des nouveaux talents mis en relief |newspaper = L'Express de Madagascar |publisher = l'expressmada.com |date = 7 August 2009 |url = http://www.lexpressmada.com/4376/hosotra-2009-madagascar/284-des-nouveaux-talents-mis-en-relief.html |access-date = 24 August 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130509031614/http://www.lexpressmada.com/4376/hosotra-2009-madagascar/284-des-nouveaux-talents-mis-en-relief.html|archive-date = 9 May 2013|url-status=dead |language=fr}}</ref>