Singing in the rain for International Women’s Day

Posted on 08 March 2010

After four days of torrential rain the roads of Fort Dauphin resemble muddy urban mangroves, however the persistent rain failed to dampen the celebrations of International Women’s Day in Fort Dauphin. At 8am women from across the town congregated outside the local high school and the matriarchal rhythms of chanting and booty shaking began.

Today was a recognised holiday for women, for which the excitement and preparation was evident. Vivid coloured lambahoanies (sarongs) danced in and out of umbrellas to the howling of laughter. In the midst of the carnival 13 Azafady ladies wearing matching orange and red lambahoanies and mahampy hats proudly paraded the Azafady banner. Sandwiched between the women of Amparihy (swigging Saint Claude to keep up dancing spirits) and a local health association, the Azafady ladies showed off their best dance moves for the full 3 and half hours of the parade.

Containing the only vazahas [foreigners] in the carnival, the Azafady ladies received cheers from onlookers for their attempt at Malagasy dance moves. The carnival drew to a close outside the town hall as the crowd settled to collectively sing the national anthem. Even during a time of political uncertainty and struggle for women and families, the Malagasy mentality was evident today in the sense of unified optimism amongst the women of Fort Dauphin.

Azafady are proud to have marched alongside other members of the Fort Dauphin community and see in the vivacious spirit of these women a reflection of our own determination to continue building the capacity of this vibrant, precious nation.