The story goes that, their ancestors brought the knowledge with them in the 1300s when they came to Madagascar from Israel. The valiha most similar to the first valiha is the atoritenany valiha because they didn't have the luxury of metal wire so the strings originally needed to be carved from the bamboo. The valiha, drums and instruments play a vital role in their community’s religion so as long
as the religion continues to be passed down so will their art. The current artists were taught by either their parents or older siblings and they in-turn continue to teach future generations. There isn’t technically a formal training process as making the valiha and various other instruments is just a part of life in their community. They inherit the knowledge simply by watching and assisting. The younger generations (at about age 10) learn how to dry the bamboo, heat the stamps, apply varnish to the finished piece and tune the instrument. The valiha was brought to Madagascar, and specifically Mananjara, by the ancestors of Cooperative Redona. The valiha, traditionally accompanied by drums, is a tool used in their worship ceremonies and sacred celebrations to lead singing, dancing and praying. Some of the older valihas are still being used in worship; if one should happen to break the custom is to either repair it or put it in a museum and make a new one. The instruments specifically used during worship will never be sold to the public or leave the community. The community has a deep connection to their religious roots and music is one of the main ways they honor their God. For instance it's taboo in their community to bring to the valiha to a funeral and it can only be played at weddings of people in the church. However, the valiha doesn't just represent the culture it is a deep part of how this community operates and lives their daily lives. The images carved onto the instruments come from the artists imagination and often vary depending on the moment and the feelings of the artist.
