National pride

This evening we came back to camp to find every building that would stand still was now holding a Madagascar flag. Independance day is coming up (26 June) and An. tells us that they always decorate on the 15th. We also found a new ensemble of about 20 masks in various facial poses and some little wooden containers that An. brought for independance day. I thought that they were going to try to sell them to toursists, but who knows. The masks are made out of a really light colored wood, with eyes and a mouth cut out (some smile, some frown). Facial featers are burnt into the surface of the wood. The masks aren't too big -- maybe 10 inches. I don't think that Malagasy traditionally use masks the way that continetal Africans do, but if it'll sell to a tourist, more power to them.