Witness

Mada Underground: Street Art in Madagascar

Madagascan slam poets, artists and skateboarders make space for creative expression despite poverty and colonial legacy.

Editor’s note: This film will be removed on August 18, 2020.

As local rapper Naty says, a group of young people are intent on making their mark in Madagascar’s cultural history.

From gifted slam poet Caylah to inventive visual artist Temandrota and a crew of entrepreneurial skateboarders, a generation of young Madagascans are making space for creative projects.

“Is’Art Gallery [is] the refuge for alternative artists in Tana. Here, you find a bit of everything … We are underground artists and every day is a combat,” says Caylah.

They are inspiring in their enthusiasm and hopeful for the future despite the poverty in their country and its colonial past.