The people of Madagascar belong to 18 different ethnic groups, each with its own customs, traditions and language. They also often have their own set of taboos, or “fady,” which usually differ by ethnic group. For example, it is fady for many Malagasy to hunt or catch Indri lemurs because they are believed to be the spirits of their ancestors. Other fadys prohibit pointing directly at graves with your index finger or bathing/drinking from specific rivers or lakes.
Each of these ethnic groups is concentrated in a specific part of the island, and on my journey to The Lost Forest, I’ll be passing through territory of the Merina, Tanala and Bara people. The Merina are one of the most common ethnicities and they live in and around the capital. The Tanala live in the same region as Ranomafana National Park. They are known for their knowledge of medicinal plants since they have inhabited the rainforests of southeastern Madagascar for centuries. The Bara in Ihosy are cattle herders, and as part of their culture, they steal cattle to prove their courage and to impress women they want to marry.
