Senge

Senge is an abbreviation of the leader's name, Sengemana, which means "pride" in the Antandroy dialect. The population of the Androy region in southern Madagascar has long been scorned and misunderstood. Impoverished by drought, this "land of the thorn bush" is inhabited by people with little education and is known as a land of hunger, thirst and suffering. The Antandroys are also accused of being dishonest, cruel and aggressive.

Senge, whose members are also doctors, decided to stand up for their native region and promote their cultural heritage. The group is inspired by several musical styles and beats: beko is a type of sacred vocal polyphony, notably sung during funerals; sabo is a variation on beko, performed to chase away evil spirits; and finally banaike is a beat accompanied by panting, throat-clearing sounds, danced in the fashion of a man with several zebu heads. —Courtesy Calabash Music