World Routes in Madagascar
1. Lucy Duran visits the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar to discover its remarkable
music. She profiles musician Justin Vali and records his Malagasy Orkestra, an all-star
collection of the island's best musical talent.
2. Lucy is joined by guides Justin Vali and Paddy Bush and hears the ancient music of
Madagascar's royal court as well as the extraordinary and rarely-recorded Hira Gasy.
Hundreds of villagers gather to hear a variety performance which spreads news,
entertains and teaches people a lesson.
3. Lucy Duran continues her journey through Madagascar recording the ancient music
of this mysterious island. She hears songs that accompany the important exhumation
and reburial ceremonies and visits the village of her guide, Justin Vali. Whilst there
she hears the delicate sound of the ancestral zither, visits a Spirit House, finds out
why you can't whistle after 6pm.
4. Starting high on the central plateau in the musical capital, Fianarantsoa, Lucy travels
to the seaside town of Tulear in the far south. En route, she shops in a magic market,
goes lemur spotting, and passes through the wild boom-town of Ilakaka, famed for its
precious stones. All along the way there's specially recorded music from some of the
island's best musicians.
5. Lucy is in the sleepy seaside town of Tulear, home of musician, wrestler and
magician Mandindry. Plus she takes a small boat to the remote community of Anakao
where she meets a group who play mandolins stringed with fishing line, and has to kill
a goat in order to visit the grave of renowned local musician Robert Rindy.
