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Ihosy
Situated in the central highlands is the town of Ihosy, home
of the Bara people. These people define their wealth
not by the number of wives or children, but by the number
of heads of cattle they own. Sacrifice is the principal purpose
for the animals (less so for eating or getting milk). Zebu
wrestling takes place in the town and 'rustling' or
cattle stealing is a particularly prized ability for young
people of the Bara.
Isalo
The National Park located here protects the native flora
(dwarf baobab trees) and the fantastically carved rocks from
the Jurassic period. The area is sacred to the Bara
people who have used the hills for burial purposes.
Diego Suarez
This town was named by two Portugese sailors who sold into
slavery all the people that remained after they raped and
pillaged the town. It's the fifth largest town in the country
and is populated with descendents of African slaves and Arabian
traders.
Lake Anivroano
This lake is home to freshwater crocodiles.
Local belief holds that villagers were turned into these animals
after refusing to give water to a man who was thirsty. Locals
now feed the 'villagers' with meat from a slaughtered Zebu.
Ile St Marie
If you've ever fancied looking for pirates treasure, this
is the place to come. A graveyard here holds the remains of
hundreds of pirates who lived on the island. Now home to a
growing tourist population, Ile St Marie is a great place
to party while soaking up the sun.
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