The Academy (January 1965) published extensive documentation on the "lamba," Madagascar's traditional garment. The lamba is defined as a woven fabric that becomes a rectangular cloth worn as clothing, a wrap, or a multipurpose item. The term specifically refers to Malagasy dress, typically consisting of two pieces of fabric approximately 2.50 meters each, worn by a single person when an adult.
Malagasy wear their lamba in a distinctive manner: the shoulders and back are covered while the sides are shortened, with the longer sides wrapped around (folded) to cover the back sides and fold toward the shoulders. When the right hand folds it to cover the left back, it is called sampin-kavanana. When the left hand does so, it is called sampin-havia. For men, after such folding, the sides are lifted upward to cover both back sides: this is called fola-droa. The front corners of the lamba must run down the center of the chest and one down the center of the shoulders.
LAMBA ARINDRANO: a lamba made by southern Betsileo people from Iarindrano region, with warp and weft of indigo thread, or warp of indigo and weft of wood-dyed thread, or both wood-dyed. Its distinguishing feature is black and white checkered patterns interlacing.
LAMBA AROSY: an indigo Malagasy lamba with checkered or multicolored patterns.
LAMBA GONY: a lamba made from coarse plant fibers, woven like baskets or used for transporting goods such as rice or flour.
LAMBA HARIRY: made from fine, small plant fibers, well-woven, strong, and pure white.
LAMBA JIAFOTSY: a lamba made from silk with both warp and weft of the same material.
LAMBA LANDIHAZO: made from wood-dyed thread fibers.
LAMBA SARIKA: the sarika thread comes from the fibers of banana plant stems called sarika.
LAMBA SARIMBO: made from threads created from fibers of the afotra tree.
LANDIBE: found in tapia trees in the Itasy region (Arivonimamo to the west). In Tsienimparihy (Ambohimandroso and Ambalavao, southern Betsileo), amberivatry plants were used instead of tapia for indigo production.
LANDIKELY: indigo production was introduced by L.M.S. missionaries skilled in crafts (during Radama I's reign in 1822). They established indigo production, brought processing machinery, and taught many Malagasy youth in Fenoarivo. In Amboniloha, south of Antananarivo, an entire town specializes in indigo craftsmanship. Chiefs Andrianamboninolona and Andriandranando actively promoted indigo production in their territories. Jean Laborde introduced new varieties of landikely. General Gallieni established a school for indigo production and weaving in Nanisana. Production facilities with machinery were built in Antsirabe (1913) and Ambositra (1918), housing the institution called "Madagascar's Production and Weaving."
During the June 26, 2026 celebration, though modest, a successful "Malagasy fashion" event was held. This is expected to revive traditional craftsmanship involving various fibers (banana, afotra, plants, silk, raffia, etc.), production, and weaving.
The Academy notes now-extinct practices: in Itaosy, Professor Albert Rakoto-Ratsimamanga made landikely lamba. Jesuit Father Paul Camboué used raffia fibers to create a lamba: two meters without seams, sent to the Universal Exposition in Paris (1900). The "Applied Arts Workshop" and "Malagasy Textile Society" thrived during World War II (1939-1945) due to restricted foreign imports.
The Academy records: "From 1902-1907, indigo production and livestock breeding advanced significantly here. Nanisana was the center. The Government established indigo production sites in Anjozorobe, Ankazobe, Andramasina, Soavinandriana, Betafo, Antsirabe, Ambohimanga, Ambatofinandrahana, Ambositra, and Fianarantsoa." Annual indigo production around Antananarivo reportedly reached 100 tons.
Finally: from 1960-1963, female university students were surveyed about lamba-wearing preferences: 35% liked and wore lamba; 42% liked but didn't wear it; 17% disliked lamba; 6% depended on their husband's preference.