Ramanenjana is a docu-fiction performance about a dance that made history. In Malagasy, Ramanenjana means something that makes you rigid but also something that makes you strong. Amidst diseases, social unrest, and healing rituals, the show critically discusses several versions of the same mass dance event. Following several years of research, Ramanenjana examines dance's societal role and how colonialism may have spread misconceptions about an extraordinary movement. Collaborating with ethnomusicologist and musician Olombelo Ricky, choreographers Simona Deaconescu and Gaby Saranouffi, along with three performers, playfully explore the Ramanenjana phenomenon using historical texts, dynamic hand gestures, and ecstatic movement.

60 min, 2022, RO/MG/DE
Created by Simona Deaconescu
In collaboration with Gaby Saranouffi
Mentored by Mathilde Monnier
Performers: Haja Saranouffi, Maria-Luiza Dimulescu, Simona Dabija
Music: Olombelo Ricky
Costumes: Cristina Milea / Sarlatan
Light design: Alexandros Raptis
Video: Kevin Deris, Simona Deaconescu, Carmen Tofeni, Cristian Pascariu
Co-producers: Tangaj Collective, CNDB – The National Center for Dance in Bucharest, Forecast