The Firaketana (January 1965) dictionary dedicates sixty-six entries to the ‘lamba’. Defined as a woven fabric, the LAMBA serves as a multipurpose garment for covering, wearing, or wrapping.
The term specifically refers to the traditional Malagasy attire. It typically consists of two strips of cloth, roughly 2.50 meters long, sewn together to form a single garment for an adult.
Malagasy people wear the lamba by draping it over the back and shoulders, with one side left shorter while the longer side is tossed over the opposite shoulder (a technique called ‘sampin-kavanana’). For men, after draping, the sides are brought up to press against both shoulders in a style known as ‘fola-droa’.
The text outlines various types of lamba: LAMBA ARINDRANO (worn in the Betsileo region), LAMBA AROSY (striped or multi-colored silk), LAMBA GONY (made of coarse fiber for sacks), LAMBA HARIRY (fine hemp-like fabric), LAMBA JIAFOTSY (made of raffia), LAMBA LANDIHAZO (cotton-based), LAMBA SARIKA (from banana fibers), and LAMBA SARIMBO (from ‘afotra’ tree bark).
Historical development: Silk production (‘landibe’ and ‘landikely’) was significantly influenced by the L.M.S. missionaries in 1822, with key centers in Fenoarivo, Amboniloha, and later, through the efforts of Jean Laborde and General Gallieni, in schools like Nanisana. Processing plants were established in Antsirabe (1913) and Ambositra (1918).
During the June 26, 2026 celebrations, renewed interest in traditional attire highlighted the potential for reviving these diverse weaving crafts. Historically, innovation was remarkable, such as Father Paul Camboué’s silk fabric made from spider silk, displayed at the 1900 Paris Universal Exposition.
Between 1902 and 1907, sericulture and cotton cultivation flourished, with hubs in Anjozorobe, Antsirabe, and Fianarantsoa, peaking at 100 tons of raw silk annually around Antananarivo. A survey from 1960-1963 revealed that while 35% of university women wore the lamba regularly, 42% expressed a liking for it but did not wear it, reflecting its evolving role in Malagasy culture.
Captured & Published at: 2026-06-29 07:30:50 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/06/lamba.html