I asked Pissoa on a sunday morning in Montreal and afternoon in Johannesburg  (guess who is the luckiest one). In 2 clicks she sent me to Hery-the-boss* blog post about the same topic : Inona no misakana anao tsy hi-blaogy? (what is keeping you from blogging?). In one simple sentence DotMG made the sincerest answer : because nobody would read me. BAM! There you go ! I can totally rely to this declaration (and vent a little) since we're struggling to get commentors on Foko Blogs even with the kids posting more than twice a week.

Because the main motivation to start a blog is to share and receive feedback on the stories you spend times and energy to publish. And if you are based in Majunga, you can add the very frustrating 40-minute unique picture loading. In both cases, I think the biggest obstacle is getting a community's interest. When submitting the idea of reuniting all the Malagasy bloggers RSS feeds on a common page at Malagasy Miray weither they were based in Alaska or writing in fluent Creole. The main idea behind this was to give more visibilty and to bridge between cultures (even if we are all deeply in love with the island) what forums fail to do. These pious wishes have their limitations when you take the Malagasy communities for exemple. Most of the users write in Malagasy and French making the concept of "promoting our culture" very hard to realize with english ruling the web.

What do forums have that blogs don't? More chances to find answers to the question "how-to-vectorize-a-beautiful-barcamp-logo".  But there are several categories so stricly classified you sometimes get excommunicate for a simple spamming (a lot I admit). And maybe I am the only one but : I sooo hate the moderator dude ! What blogs don't have, even if there are multiple authors, is the variety of topics and the easiness to start debates. But if you are like me and the dizain of very generous bloggers I know well, you already mastered the power of commenting.What blog offers is the power to express yourself and illustrate your ideas and projects by very simple tools such as videos, podcasts,etc.Hery (again) just posted a very interesting post on Social Networks and asking (again) but its limits. At this point I wish you can read Malagasy to get Malagasy feelings on well…expression yourself on a wider audience. He warns about the tendencies to turn into Social Marketing when manipulating your audience to get their attention for a product or a great cause.(Maybe you've noticed my posts to introduce social media and the wonders non-profits can benefit from it in french por favor).

Forums of course are very popular among Malagasy internet users and networking with the desire to stay commited to this community is one of the reason forumists fond hard time to leave this haven. And finally I have to admit my little scares of forum users. When there are social and political crisis, we always fetch the latest news on sites like Mashada where everyone has done a tremendous job covering the Kenyan crisis and filling the void the governement instated black-out has put on mainstream media. We all know about wanadoo (now moov.mg) during the 2002 Malagasy post-election crisis and the "cyber-activism" of the expatriates and well…the diaspora. This also brings us to the "digital divide" echues when connecitivity in Madagascar is still very hard to get and users only afford to connect for mails and …read forums. Again a lack of support on the commeting sections can very very very easily discourage a true activist even with tri-lingual capacities to share his perception of the society. 

I hate to tell this but today I perceive forums as instruments for political propaganda more than a space of cultural, social and knowledge sharing.  By the way do we have political bloggers ? or is this topic still very much banned on the post title and very discussed on the commenting section?

*Hery is the creator of the Serasera network. A community of more than 20 000 bloggers based in Madagascar but also in different parts of the world. Their socialization and conviviality are the strengh of the Namana Serasera when their members easily bond and plan outdoor activities such as trips (Roma, Majunga…) and also tree planting or fundraisings (for Infancy for example).

Nifanentana sy nandray anjara tsy hampijaly, ary hanandratra ny teny Malagasy ny mpitoraka blaogy sy ny mponin'ny aterineto nanomboka tamin'ny antson'i Lapino

Roa fiomanana …

Tapaka fa asiana lanonana famaranana ity hetsika ity ary amin'ny faha-21 Jiona no hanatanterahana izany, amin'ny 3 tolakandro, ora any Madagasikara.

Telo dia lasa …

Tongava daholo ary amin'ny 21 Jiona 2008 amin'ny 3 tolakandro (Ora any Madagasikara).

- Mandahara hira ao amin'ny radio Vazogasy.

- Dia mandehana ao amin'ny http://tetikasa.telomiova.org/cyberfety na http://club.foko-madagascar.org/

- Dia miresaha dia milalaova … dia milalaova dia miresaha.

Nous aurions pu aussi discuter de l'intérêt que tu portes à mon bonheur et surtout du fait que dans les périodes les plus difficiles que je n'ai pas pu avoir une amie de ton envergure. Aurais-tu eu les mots qu'il fallait pour me relever et me rendre plus forte face à la maladie, le mépris ou la mort?, aurais-tu eu le courage de rester jusqu'au bout à mes côtés et sur le chemin appris de la vie et de la société? J'aurais voulu que tu sois là quand la vie m'a confrontée à la rude décision que : rien ne nous est acquis, que le bien est en soi et que ce qui se trouve devant nos yeux n'est qu'illusion. 

Sur cet espace , j'incite les personnes moi en première à ne pas se limiter à juger les autres et à déblatérer des facilités. Ne gâche pas ton temps et énergie sur ce blog à t'édifier une opinion sur la personne qui se laisse découvrir et qui se permet de se détacher elle-même de son contenu. Essaye de voir dans les mots et les couleurs que la seule chose qui t'engage à te soucier autant pour mon bien-être et mon équilibre moral est le seul fait d'y avoir vu une personnalité qui se construit et qu'y s'inspire du meilleur dans autrui. Maintenant je t'invite à voir un tout petit peu plus loin et peut être à ton retour ici de découvrir que dans une autre vie, nous étions plus que des petites personnes qui envient et jalousent le malheur-bonheur

cela nous rendra toutes les deux un peu moins ridicules…

We already have talented writers, journalists, poets (and wannabe poets) and most of us have attended Malagasy schools. We, the online community are logically one of the keepers of what will become of the Teny Gasy. Pierre Maury and Jentilisa, our BOMBS winners , were able to transfer in excellency the evolution of Malagasy on the web. L'Actualité Culturelle Malgache is a treasure mine of ebooks written by Malagasy and foreign authors on Madagascar. Pierre is also a very active actor in the litterature and journalistic field travelling all over the country to find precious pieces and meet talented people (when I met him he had in his hands a 19th century book on Madagascar kept in the securized Albert Camus Center library). Jentilisa has his own way to represent the Teny Gasy. His VETO blog is constantly the reference in the  news domain and of course in the language. Having Jentilisa as one of the contributors to Global Voices Online in Malagasy is an honour for our community because he's keeping the translations in very high standards along with Tomavana, Avylavitra and the many who joined the project (again, I still have in mind our first conversation together when I was more of the listener than the speaker. Man his Malagasy is soooo good). Now that we managed to bring more and more bloggers to join the global conversation from the FBC workshops (pssiiit: blaogy.com in Malagasy is still very tough for them, no offense hery !), it's natural for me to take actively part in this great initiative. Some might say it's only because I don't want to look wouaina be before little Patricia and Jombilo maybe it is true but again there is the matter of GIVING, SHARING, CARING.

On June 21st 2008 at 3 pm (Madagascar), join the community on the live chatroom at Foko Blog Club, Dadarabe and Lapino will be having a Kabary to thank all the many who contribute to the "Aza ampijaliana ny tenin-tsika" (Don't ill-treat our language") initiative. All the posts published and the intensive commenting will be filed on a unique post at Dadarabe's. Because we're enjoying each others presence (not only on our personal blogs), many spelling games are planned for this event. I published 3 homeworks where I did my best to follow Lapino's indications and correct my mispelling. My 200 pages notebook is now filled with my friends red  inked notes and I can't wait to see all of you and the many who are ashamed of their Teny Gasy to be present and enjoy the celebration ! (don't forget 2008 is also the Year of the Mother-Tongue.

Je viens de parcourir mes lectures faciles du jour et finis la soirée/commence la journée avec (yet) un sujet d'actualité abordé maintes et maintes fois sur la blogosphère de manière assaisonnée  mais qui aujourd'hui devient plus qu'urgente.

News2dago  (et allez courrez y pratiquer votre malgache engagé svp) annonce l'escalade des prix des PPN et voit déjà s'empirer les conditions de vie à Madagascar.  Doit-on se résigner et se cantonner dans notre foi questionne-t-il? Mince alors Maintikely a déjà abordé la question de l'huile dans du yaourt et  à To d'être toujours présent à soulever les questions cruciales ou énigmatiques. Pétrole, Riz, …ne vous laissez pas berner par les flashs et les paillettes la société malgache ,comme partout autour du globe, vit aujourd'hui des moments difficiles. Bon allez on signe.

Antananarivo. Capitale of thousands. In 2008, thousands became million. Poverty, Pollution, People… many don't mind (but them). But you can't miss the obvious : Antananarivo is the capitale of millions  ethnicities. If you were simplist (like me) you'll think about an evolution of our traditionnal sectarian system. When Andriana use Hova to employ Andevo. You know, the usual stuff people bring out when they want to revive … what exactly do they want to revive? I'll give to others the opportunity to answer this nihilist questioning. What you is obvious under the hills is a mozaïc of races, cultures, languages, trends and normalities.

Why work? Foreign companies, neo-colonialist entrepreneurs are already in the place to make you work. Karana community are making so much profits in our place. Of course nobody complains , the governement last, about exploitation and inegalities. As long as they don't do it Gallieni's way and there are no Red Book. man, mining companies are doing their job, means destroying the environment, exploiting local resources and exporting everything out of the country. Let's say we didn't know about their activities…Let's just beat the more vulnerable ones and fake our disgust and hatred. 

Why help ? There are gazillions of them all over the country. For them, we do everything to make our life look beautifully poor and needy on TV5 and CNN. Personnally I think if we boot all the NGO out of Madagascar, we won't look this exotic anymore … And there you have those little frustrated people complaining about the lack of aids for Malagasy non-profit and never trying to check if they took professionalism and ethical classes.

Why love ? Here we are at a Fisehona (by the way these ceremonies are becoming more and more luxurious these days…), the elders are not very happy with their groom's choice : the girl is from this village in the middle of somewhere region when Dadabe use to sell omby and they bury their deads at this place where… blblablabalbaabla.. "yes but they have 4×4 and villas" points this thoughtful aunt.

Why tout court? Mpiavy are so useful when they don't stay too long…

Tips from an economical immigrate to my future compatriots. With Sarkozy making all the headlines from Paris Match to Voici, I witness more and more interest to Quebec immigration. And the people I know who are willing to make the list seem not to be worried about the language requirements (when you lived in Fianar or Majunga you'll understand easily what I mean). Immigration strategies are pretty much the same whatever country you intend to adopt. If you don't inherit from an ariary billionaire uncle : work on getting straight A+ and some good networking; or this very rare alternative : buy yourself a ticket from your generous folks; and of course the very popular trick : use your skills and looks to marry a passeport. Personally, you just need to be franck with yourself (means : you're making the big move for the big money) and use either methods it takes!!! Like any line-up in front of a well-known club, you need to use more than you natural talents. Arm yourself with the maximum $$$, physical an social assets possible to charm the impartial bouncer .Past the doors, things get complicated : you have to behave well. Business is fun but you're not home anymore…women? in single item only. The real problem? You have to work as hard as any Desjardins and Parenteau to prove your motivation…

Zao zany ny fika hidirana aty Canada (efa betsaka izay ny mail nalefako tamin'ity taona ity ka aleo tonga dia atao eto @ blaogy amizay)

1. Aza kamo dia aza maika
2. Aza kamo dia aza madainga (fa tay be ry zareo , efa hoe tay be ry zareo hoa)
3. Tsisy hevitra fa tsy maintsy mandalo test
4. Teny anglisy/frantsay lu+écrit+parlé ihany no miady eo
5. Tsy dia manamerda lotra ry zareo rehefa manao taratasy (préfecture? tsisy an'izany)
6. Eo amin'ny 1 katramin'ny 2 taona eo vao vita ny taratasy
7. Fa rehefa azo kosa ilay izy dia milay be
8. Ie misy Sécu aty
9. Ie degany be miasa aty fa tsy mihisy congé firy
10. Ny karama eo ihany fa tsisy an'izany alloc sy assedic izany sa hoe BS (Bien-être social hmmm)
11. Rehefa direct avy any dago dia mila mitondra botyfotsy be dia be
12. Ry zareo hotrany hoe tsotra be izany

Il y a quelques semaines je lisais cet article dans la presse et fus toute motivée à rédiger le billet détaillé empreint de morale et de prudence. Oui les amis, en 2008, les vices se discutent en société et prioritairement sur son domaine virtuel (quoique pas trop près des marches du Temple …) Ce serait avec un plaisir sincère que j'étrennerais  les cuvées du Lazan'ny Bestileo ou le Punch Coco de Dzama mais quelque chose me dit que les 70% des alcooliques au pays ne s'enivrent pas vraiment pour les prouesses de la distillerie nationale mais plutôt pour jerricane de cette boisson vénérée (toaka gasy, betsabetsa, ce qui vous plaira).

Googlement parlant je ne suis pas encore tombée sur la Thèse de doctorat d'un éclairé sur l'Alcoolémieà Madagascar mais vous admettrez (levez la main droite) que la situation est alarmante. Si les myopes du fond de la classe pouvaient bien me suivre et visiter la dizaine de mini-gargotes en face et oser demander un biscuit TUC. Ne soyez pas gêné par la décoration intérieure, ce ne sont que des bouteilles pleines et en plus la "licence 2 classe 3" est bien placardée au bas du comptoir. Allez ne faites pas les choqués, le gamin qui prend la commande à Behoririka à 2h du mat pendant un vendredi magnifique, il a pas 13 ans mais rend un service digne du Colbert (san'). J'omettrai donc de remettre sur la table l'historiette de la bonne femme qui travaille pour permettre à son mari d'aller boire…

Si on poussait le bouchon un peu plus loin et passer de l'autre côté de la barrière. À Montréal, nous avons un système de livraison à même la porte. À la présentation de la facture, écœurement et dégoût car "au pays" ce milligramme vaudrait un kilo de têtes bien rouges. D'ailleurs j'ai perdu du temps aussi sur le googlage d'une Thèse sur le Business des drogues vertes malgaches. On doit bien pouvoir quantifier les pertes dues à la déforestation non? J'aurais aimé aussi savoir la productivité d'un employé aux yeux exsangues habillé d'une mâchoire déformée par le Kat…On pourra toujours accuser le vahiny d'apporter les faux-besoins et les "aspirations-à-la-vente-libre-parce-que-l'on-se-doit-d 'être-civilisé-alors-même-que-la-moitié-de-la-population-marche-pied-nu-et-se-nourrit-de-vary-maina" dans un pays finalement déjà très auto-service. 

Histoire de multiplier encore plus les hints (je n'espère donc même pas que vous lisiez cet article jusqu'à la fin!), je vais poursuivre le paragraphe sur le merveilleux monde des jeux. Comme dans toute île fantasque, il est d'autorité publique que les machines à sous soient reines, la loterie le génie et l'argent Dieu. Le poker et la roulette se jouent au dernier étage des tours (lol) autant que dans les sous-sol d'Andravohangy. Non ce n'est pas curieux, les bonhommes et bonnes femmes aiment le risque. Surtout à la fin du mois autour d'un petit verre. Et après on se demande encore pourquoi les gens ne votent pas le dimanche…

Mais bon si déjà on arrive à voir plein de Bien et pas de Mal dans l'impérialisme tabagique, je ne suis pas certaine que ces histoires soient considérées comme les réels problèmes de la Société, si prude et vertueuse, société Malgache. Et ça ni Interpol, ni l'armée chargée de décimer les plans, ni les incantations religieuses pendant 40h, ni pleurs d'une gamine perdant son père du cancer/cyrrhose, ni taxi-be bondé passé sous un camion, n'y pourront rien …