◈ Sacred Grove Omnibus
World Atlas › Madagascar

Sacred Groves of Madagascar

11 listings catalogued

Ancestral spirits (kokolampo)

Analavelona Sacred Forest (Agnalavelo / Alandraza Analavelo)

Analavelona Massif, Sakaraha District, Atsimo-Andrefana, southwestern Madagascar

Domain of ancestral spirits; community source of fuelwood, construction & coffin timber, medicine, honey, pasture & water; fady taboos govern access/h…

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Ancestral spirits ('trees grow with the spirits of the ancestors')

Androy Ala Kibory Tomb Forests (regional)

South-central Androy, southern Madagascar

Taboo forests around kibory (communal tombs); protect ancestors; largely untouched even in intensively used land

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Ancestral sacred land

Anja Community Reserve

~13 km S of Ambalavao, Haute Matsiatra, south-central Madagascar

Sacred woodland with ancestral tombs/caves; ecotourism income; lemur protection

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Crowned sifaka embodies ancestors (sacred, fady to kill)

Antrema Biocultural Site

~6 km S of Katsepy, Boeny Region (opposite Mahajanga), NW Madagascar

Ancestor-sifaka protection; biocultural conservation + community development

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Ancestral/community sacred forest

Maromizaha Sacred Forest

SE of Andasibe (opposite Analamazaotra), Alaotra-Mangoro Region, E Madagascar

Community-protected sacred rainforest; lemur conservation & ecotourism

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Baobabs sacred (spiritual powers

Menabe Sacred Baobabs (Avenue of the Baobabs)

Between Morondava & Belon'i Tsiribihina, Menabe Region, W Madagascar

Sacred trees: burial sites, origin myths, blessings/guidance sought; 'Baobab Amoureux' (Lovers' Baobab)

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Sacred Nile crocodiles (transformed ancestors/villagers)

Sacred Lake of Anivorano (fady crocodiles)

Anivorano-Nord, between Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) & Ambilobe, Diana Region, N Madagascar

Crocodiles fady (not hunted/disturbed); offerings & zebu sacrifices; swimming/spitting/Tuesday-visits taboo

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Royal ancestral spirits (Maroseranana dynasty)

Sakoantovo Sacred Forest

Mahafaly/Androy area, southern Madagascar

Guards royal tombs & burial caves; ancient sacred fig tree; entry/harvest taboos

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Community/ancestral protection

Vohibola Sacred Forest

East coast near Andovoranto, Atsinanana, eastern Madagascar

Community-guarded primary forest; biodiversity refuge

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Ancestral/community sacred forest

Vohimana Sacred Forest Reserve

Ankeniheny-Zahamena corridor, near Andasibe, E Madagascar

Community-protected sacred forest; ethnobotany & lemur conservation

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Ancestral spirits

Vohimasio (Vohimasina) Sacred Forest

Androy/Anosy area, southern Madagascar

Sacred forest with royal tombs; taboo-protected; medicinal plants

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