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Menabe Sacred Baobabs (Avenue of the Baobabs)
Between Morondava & Belon'i Tsiribihina, Menabe Region, W Madagascar
Madagascar
Active (sacred site & tourism)
Single grove
- Location
- Between Morondava & Belon'i Tsiribihina, Menabe Region, W Madagascar
- Coordinates
- ~20.25°S 44.42°E
- Elevation
- Western lowland
- Size
- Baobab stand along ~1.2 km (plus Baobab Amoureux nearby)
- Age / Founded
- Trees 800+ years old (Sakalava sacred tradition)
- Status
- Active (sacred site & tourism)
- Deity & Religion
- Baobabs sacred (spiritual powers; origin myths); Sakalava traditional religion
- Community & Guardians
- Sakalava people
- Vernacular name
- Sacred baobab stand (Sakalava)
- Record type
- Single grove
Cultural practices & uses
Sacred trees: burial sites, origin myths, blessings/guidance sought; 'Baobab Amoureux' (Lovers' Baobab)
Plant species
Adansonia grandidieri (Grandidier's baobab, to 30+ m) — largest of Madagascar's 6 baobab species
Biome & fauna
Western dry deciduous (Menabe) landscape
Threats & protection
Iconic sacred/tourism site; surrounding deforestation pressure
Source
Avenue of the Baobabs (Wikipedia); MadaMagazine