Authorities at the opening of the Sobahya Festival in Katsepy. The curtain has fallen on the 20th edition of the Sobahya Festival, organized annually in August in Katsepy, in the rural municipality of the same name, Mitsinjo district. This year again, the event drew massive crowds.
For three days, from Friday to Sunday last week, the public was able to discover and appreciate the value and importance of Sakalava Marambitsy culture. The objective of this event is to promote this culture. This year's theme focused on "youth, heir to culture, builder of the future."
The Sobahya Festival was also marked by the decoration of its creator and promoter, Bachir Adehame Soudjay, founder of this major cultural event. A medal was presented to this former senator of Madagascar and historian for his commitment to preserving cultural heritage.
He initiated and carried the Sobahya Festival to celebrate Sobahya, a traditional fabric of great nobility and profound historical value linked to Sakalava sovereigns. He actively works for the transmission of traditions and the preservation of local identities, particularly the culture of the Sakalava Marambitsy.
The historian has thus demonstrated his long-standing commitment to safeguarding and promoting Sakalava cultural heritage in the Boeny region. He currently represents the Grand Chancellery of Madagascar in Mahajanga province.
"We express our deep gratitude to Bachir Adehame Soudjay and all the founders of the Sobahya Festival. And our thanks also go to the organizing committee. The region is proud to promote such a culture. The twentieth edition of the Sobahya Festival was a great success," declared Nasolo Adakalo, head of the Boeny region.
The Minister of National Education and coaching minister of the Boeny region, Sendra Nirina Rajaonarison, was also present at the opening of this 20th edition in Katsepy.
The closing of the event was marked by various activities and sporting competitions, including sack racing and duck fishing at sea. Saturday evening, the concert bringing together renowned artists such as Jaojoby, Maman Tsololo, Dah Vie and DJ Abdel was fully booked. The evening dance, which has become a true tradition, was also punctuated by fashion shows and demonstrations of outfits made from Sobahya.
Vero Andrianarisoa