The winter season has recently started on the Big Island, bringing with it a pleasant freshness as well as various games. Among all the playful traditions of the Big Island, the kite occupies a preponderant place during the winter.
This traditional highland game is said to have been introduced by Indonesian ancestors, contrary to popular belief attributing its origin to China. Cave paintings discovered in the Celebes Islands attest to its existence in Indonesia more than 5000 years BC.
Although this game has taken on different cultural roles across the world, in Madagascar, it remains mainly practiced by children. Locally known as "papango" (pronounced "papang"), it takes its name from its anthropomorphic form, reminiscent of a grandfather or a father according to the ancient Formosan. This form has changed little over the generations of the Malagasy highlands, always presenting a central body imitating that of a man, with limbs represented by long fringes of material.
Originally made from paper, the “papango” testifies today to the ingenuity of Malagasy children who use recycled plastic for the body and jute thread from sackcloth.
During the southern winter, a fresh wind from the east intoxicates the children who have fun building their own “papango”. They compete to see who will manage to fly it the highest or who will create the most beautiful kite. What joy !
Personally, I remember, when i was a child, having spent long moments contemplating these flying men in the blue winter sky.
