Culture
BeTige Brings Together Audiences from All Walks of Life
Young people and adults gathered yesterday at CGM for BeTige, a comedy show that challenges Malagasy stereotypes with frankness and self-deprecation. Laughter, reflection and diversity were on full display at BeTige, a spectacle that attracted audiences from all backgrounds. Young people, adults and comedy enthusiasts shared the same venue to discover a succession of one-man-shows where comedians tackled head-on the prejudices, clichés and stereotypes that permeate Malagasy society. Several comedians took turns on stage, each performing for approximately seven minutes. Mamy Ralijaona, Tsiresy, Raytra, Lanja and Finengo explored varied themes such as love, society and politics, favoring direct humor. The show addresses subjects rarely discussed in everyday life, which explains why some jokes may not suit all audiences. The organizers nonetheless expressed satisfaction with the reception from spectators. According to Raytra: "The BeTige concept is based on a play on words. Inspired by the term 'bêtise' (foolishness), it also references 'grosse tige' (big stem), linked to certain Malagasy clichés. Among these is the idea that someone wearing dreadlocks is automatically rasta or a drug user, when these appearances can also be humorously associated with the inspiration of artists and comedians." Beyond the laughter, the show delivers a message of openness. It reminds us that each Malagasy person has their own identity, shaped by their culture, education and region of origin. Despite these differences, all belong to the same society and deserve to be understood without being confined to stereotypes. Cassie Ramiandrasoa
Source: L'Express de Madagascar