Proverbs for a new year

Reflecting wit and wisdom through art

The people of Madagascar represent proud ethnic groups distinguished by diverse cultural practices and dialects. Malagasy proverbs capture both the wit and wisdom of the Malagasy people as a reflection of cultural identity and lived experience. Many of the wild silk and raffia textiles produced by artisans under our nature-based social enterprise Tanana Madagascar evoke traditional proverbs. We share a collection here for inspiration in the new year. Each piece advances conservation, supports farmer livelihoods, and creates opportunities for local artisans to earn a fair wage.

Ny teny toy ny atody: raha foy manan’elatra.

Words are like eggs: when they are hatched they have wings.

"Unity" collage textile artwork is hand-crafted by CPALI's sister artisans in northeastern Madagascar. The artisan team designed this piece to represent togetherness. It also evokes the eggs of Madagascar's endemic silk moths. Crafted from the silk of wild Argema mittrei, Ceranchia apollina, Borocera spp., Antherina suraka, and Deborrea spp. as well as from farmed Bombyx cocoons, it is naturally dyed. Each piece is made as part of a month-long collaboration. Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art store in Washington, DC, as well as the SEPALI Madagascar workshop in Maroantsetra, Madagascar, can see the pattern proudly displayed.

These joyful pieces depict Antherina suraka, Ceranchia apollina, and Argema mittrei--three of Madagascar's most beautiful endemic moths. They're made from farmed Bombyx silk cocoons sourced from Madagascar's central plateau that are ironed flat and sewn together with invisible thread. Reminiscent of butterflies in curiosity cabinets of old, the sale of these silk collages supports conservation efforts by helping integrate native host plants into farmers' rainforest-bordering agroforestry systems. In doing so, farmers create space for wild silk moths and other native species. This year, CPALI is supporting farmers in four forest-bordering communities to establish nurseries for 40,000 trees under a collaborative agroforestry initiative.

Tsihy be lambanana ny ambanilantra.

All who live under the sky are woven together like one big mat.

Raffia fiber has been used by the Betsimisaraka people of northeastern Madagascar for centuries to create tightly-woven waterproof cloth that withstands the elements in wet coastal environments. Once woven on banana trunk-fashioned looms in local villages, traditional raffia garments all but disappeared with the arrival of imported cotton cloth, and are rarely seen today. These stunning raffia textiles are carefully crafted by our sister artisans on custom-designed portable looms. Detailed handwoven patterning gives each piece a rich texture. A special 'clasped weft' weaving method creates the pictured distinctive zigzag chevron pattern. 

The intricate details of this locally designed silk tapestry come together to celebrate the diverse ecosystem of Madagascar's northeastern coastal rainforest. If you look closely, you will notice representations of terrestrial and marine flora and fauna--from spiders' webs to the eyes of giant clams. A visual depiction of the strength of the human spirit and the connectedness of all beings, this design is made from the collaged wild silk of Ceranchia apollina, Borocera spp., and Antherina suraka, as well as farmed Bombyx cocoons with raffia accents. Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art store in Washington, DC, as well as to the SEPALI Madagascar workshop in Maroantsetra, Madagascar, can see this pattern proudly displayed.

Aza mitsipa-doha laka-nitana.

Do not kick away the canoe which helped you to cross the river.

This rich and lustrous wild silk wall hanging evokes the blue waters of Madagascar's Bay of Antongil.  Its immersive and rich color fields contain roughly 650 cocoons from the endemic Ceranchia apollina silk moth gathered by local farmers that have been trained in sustainable collection technique by our sister organization in Madagascar.

The cocoon and moth dyed pattern of this handwoven raffia is an artistic nod to the conservation efforts that its production supports. Native raffia trees offer many benefits to local communities in Madagascar. The roots of the palm prevent soil erosion and are said to help keep groundwater clean. For this reason, communities plant raffia around their wells. Textile production motivates farmers to plant more a in a win-win for people and nature.

Ny alina mitondra fisainana.

The night brings wisdom.

A full moon rising over the Makira and Masoala rainforests that lie beyond the communities where farmers collect wild silk and raffia is a magical sight to behold. This wall hanging represents the harvest moon; the full moon that is traditionally relied upon by farmers to finish harvesting crops late into the night.

Ataovy dian-tana: jerena ny aloha, todihana ny afara.

Behave like the chameleon: look forward and observe behind.

This colorful collaged silk art piece represents one of Madagascar’s most iconic inhabitants, the chameleon. The panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) is a species found in the eastern and northern ecosystems of Madagascar. Considered fady (taboo) to touch by local communities, they are generally given a wide berth when encountered crossing the road.

These and other stunning nature-based textiles are available at Tanana Madagascar. 100% of sales revenue supports local artisans, farmers, and our partners in Madagascar.

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