Natural Landmarks of the Motherland: Avenue of Baobabs (Madagascar)
FEELNUBIA PRESENTS: Avenue of Baobabs (Madagascar)
On the west coast of Madagascar, there is an ancient magical forest of Baobab trees. Lovingly called ‘Renala’ (aka Adansonia za) by the locals, some of the trees age over a thousand years old. The Baobabs of Madagascar are unique to this region and are revered as sacred by the people. Growing up to 30 meters in height, about 20 odd trees line an old road, creating an avenue. Another score of trees are scattered all around the area surrounded by rice paddies. Almost 10 kilometres away, a pair of the trees are twisted together. The crux of a love fable, the intertwined trees tell the tale of an ill-fated affair between two young lovers who were betrothed to others. Determined to find a way to be together, the folklore recounts that the young lovers visited the local deity and asked for help to fulfil their dream of being together forever, which was granted as they both changed form into trees that were united forever in love just as they had wished.
Attracting tourists from all over the world, the Avenue of Baobabs has in recent years been granted protected status as the Country’s first natural monument and an eco-tourism project aimed at conserving the area and local community has been developed.
