The winter season has just started on the big island and comes with this freshness, games of all kinds. Of all the fun traditions of the Big Island, the kite is one of the most emblematic of winter.
This traditional game of the highlands would come from the distant Indonesian ancestors, moreover, this game was born in Indonesia and dates from more than 5000 years before J.C. It was always believed that this tradition came from China but cave paintings discovered in the Celebes Islands.
If throughout the world, this game has taken on a lot of roles, in Madagascar, it has remained a game generally played by children. Its local name: the “papango” (lire “board”) would come originally from its anthropomorphic form which means: grandfather or father in ancient Formosan. the form has hardly changed through generations of highland Malagasy. Always this central body, imitating the body of a man and the limbs simulated here by long fringes of materials.
Originally made of paper, the papango currently relates the resourcefulness of Malagasy children. Now, we recycle plastic for the body and jute yarn from sackcloth.
In the austral winter, a cool wind blows from the east which enchants children to build their “papango”. We challenge each other, who will climb the highest or who will be the most beautiful. What joy!
Personally, I remember, when I was little, spending long moments admiring these snowmen flying in the blue winter sky.
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