Magical Madagascar

Madagascar is heir to a fascinating legacy of textile techniques and traditions that combine both African and Indonesian elements. Handwoven Malagasy fabrics made from silk cocoons, strands of wild silk, domesticated mulberry silk, cotton, raffia, reeds, and bark, used as both clothing and gifts, have long held a significance far exceeding their physical properties. In a land where dead ancestors are believed to exert great influence in present-day family life, textiles are indispensable elements in burial ceremonies, wherein the deceased are respectfully wrapped in fine fabrics as a way of properly "clothing" them for their social existence in the afterlife. This tradition is so important that, in some areas, long-dead family members return to their descendants in dreams to ask that they be exhumed, re-wrapped in fresh silk cloth, and otherwise feted during joyful reburial celebrations.

Malagasy textiles are also offered to rulers, ancestors, and spirits in return for blessings. Historically, they have been used as gifts of state in important diplomatic exchanges. Today, they are still handed down from generation to generation within families as powerful symbols of wealth, status, and identity.

Travel Plans International and The Textile Museum are delighted to offer you a remarkable journey to this unique and captivating island nation. Our adventure will take us to remote areas of the country, where we will meet and learn from traditional weavers in their natural contexts as well as contemporary textile artists who are reviving once-abandoned techniques and fibers and using them in innovative ways.

The two-week trip will be led by Sarah Fee, who has been doing fieldwork on Malagasy social life and textiles since 1988. Ms. Fee recently guest-curated the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art exhibition of Malagasy textiles, Gifts and Blessings.

The tour is designed to take in the three major ecological zones and weaving traditions of Madagascar: the highlands, the east coast, and the south. From its vast diversity of rare flora and fauna to its extraordinary blend of Asian and African cultures, Madagascar offers a kaleidoscope of unforgettable experiences. We have chosen to travel in September when the weather is beautiful and temperatures are a comfortable 75 – 86 degrees F. If you are a real adventurer and are prepared to take in stride the unexpected nature of travel in a country where tourism is still a frontier experience, I hope you will join us.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
• Sixteen-day/fourteen-night program

Antananarivo
• Seven nights at the superior-first class Hotel Colbert
• Welcome briefing and slide show on Malagasy history and culture by Mr. Jean-Aime Rakotoarisoa
• Visit to the Tsimbazaza Museum of Natural History, Botanical Gardens and Zoo
• Visit to the superb array of Malagasy handicrafts at the Cultural Artisan Center
• City tour led by historian Chantal Radimilahy including the remains of Rova, the former Queen’s Palace
• Private reception and visit to the workshops and museum of British art historian Simon Peers
• Visit to the textile and art collection of the University Museum
• Private visit and tour of the weaving workshop of Ms. Mirana Abraham, a leading fashion designer
• Private visit with Mrs. Razakaratrimo, preeminent fiber artist, at her studio
• Day excursion to the villages of Ambohimanga, the birthplace of Merina monarchy, and Arivonimamo, known for its generations of wild silk weavers using the akotifahana technique
• Day excursion to Fonohasina village whose noble clan is associated with Chinese silk weaving. Visit to the sacred pilgrimage site of Ambohidrabiby
• Visit Tana’s local workshops for clothing and accessories
• Visit with Malagasy textile designer Mrs. Suzanne Ramananantoandro

Perinet Nature Reserve
• Two nights at the first class Vakona Forest Lodge
• Explore the nature reserve known for its lemurs and variety of colorful insects and fascinating reptiles
• Excursion to the Moramanga and Anosibe An’Ala, two villages still specializing in raffia weaving for clothing
• Owner/Director led tour of La Mandraka Nature Farm housing reptiles, invertebrates, and butterflies

Berenty Nature Reserve
• Two nights at the first class Gite d’Etape
• Exploration of Berenty Reserve, viewing its three-cornered palms, twisted finger baobab trees, unique funerary art of the burial grounds, extensive sisal plantation, and abundant wildlife and birdlife
• Excursion to the Spiny Desert to see the homeland of the Tandroy and visit the Ambondro weaving center specialized in the weaving of cotton and silk for ceremonial garments

Fort Dauphin
• Two nights at the first class Hotel Le Dauphin
• City tour including the de Heaulme family Saiidi Gardens, recently open to the public
• Motorboat excursion on Lake Lanirano to the beautiful Lokaro Island with time to relax, swim, and browse in local villages

EXCEPTIONAL VALUES:
• Professional study leader throughout
• A Textile Museum representative throughout
• Resident guide/tour director throughout
• Motorcoach transportation
• Intra-Madagascar air transportation
• Daily breakfast, twelve lunches and eleven dinners on table d’hôte basis with bottled water, coffee and tea
• Welcome and farewell dinners include wine
• Bottled water in hotel rooms nightly and on motorcoaches
• Transfers and handling of two pieces of luggage
• All entrance fees, taxes and service charges
• All gratuities throughout, including end-of-tour gratuities to the resident guide/tour director
• Extensive pre-departure assistance; practical and cultural guide; baggage tags, name badges
• Visa acquisition

OPTIONAL FEATURES:
• Round-trip, economy-class transportation between New York* and Antananarivo on Air France via Paris
• Comprehensive insurance coverage for trip cancellation or interruption, baggage, illness and accident