The Kilalao Malagasy (Malagasy games or entertainments) were created based on in-depth studies of the Ntaolo — or Malagasy ancestors — to train the future generations' minds to be able to cope with daily life, do household chores, and most importantly, to predict life ahead. The Kilalao Malagasy were designed not only for an entertainment purpose, but also to educate, discipline and inspire Malagasy children. Let us explore what the kilalao, the tsilalao and the lalao are.

What is the difference between “kilalao”, “tsilalao”, and “lalao”?

The Kilalao refers to the idea of playing. The “ki-“ in the word “kilalao” suggests the idea of something that does not exist, but the players bring to life. For example, kivarivary (collecting dust instead of rice), kiombiomby (making pictures of cows with clay). Another example of kilalao is the “tantara vato” (telling stories with pebbles). In these various games, there are well-defined objectives, rules and some competition.

The Tsilalao, on the other hand, refers to real-life activities but in a miniature form; for example, the tsikoninkonina (cooking real but small meals with small kitchen utensils).

The Lalao, which means "game”, refers to the game of human beings based on the study of humanity, a study of life. The concept often encourages the use of the players’ intelligence and energy.

A few kilalao and tsilalao with their meanings.

The kiombiomby was a popular game among our ancestors and modern generations still play it, especially those in the countryside. It was designed for little boys for them to learn how to breed zebus. Same goes for the tsikoninkonina and the kivarivary, which intended to educate girls and to teach them already how to cook and take care of the house.

Kindrindrina is also a Malagasy game that consists of bringing non-existent things to life, such as making dolls with bits of cloth. They also created the tsindrindrina where children themselves play the role of a couple, parents, everything that already exists but in their own way as children. The goal is to teach the children in advance how to live as adults.

The tantara vato helps to broaden the children's way of thinking.  As soon as little girls start talking, they can all play stories with stones. Same goes for the tsobato which teaches children, usually girls, to read and count.

What makes the tanisa different from the tsobato.

The tanisa is performed by one person using two, three or more stones, while tsobato is a team play. However, the rule remains the same: never let the stone fall to the ground. In the story of tanisa, the game is accompanied by small words in every step of the game, which describe the different categories of people in the Malagasy society.

These are only a few examples of Malagasy traditional games, but there are many other more.

Sources : Tsidika, Mot Malgache, Malagasy Students Union in Wuhan, Gasy fomba, Bibliothèque numérique