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 Faritanin' i Toamasina
(E) by Norali
Mainly inhabited by Betsimisaraka (for main parts), it comprehends other tribes such as Bezanozano (Western part of Moramanga), Sihanaka (Ambatondrazaka region). It has been common to assimilate this province with Betsimisaraka. The new official partition in regions is a simple translation of the cultural reality. This province is now divided in 3 regions: Alaotra Mangoro, Analanjirofo, Atsinanana. Btw, "Betsimisaraka" means "those who cannot be divided".
Landscape is made of rainforests in the inland and superb beach shores. Deep rainforests use to house several species of lemurs, orchids, birds. Nonetheless, they are endangered since hurricanes, torrential rains, floods and Man contributed in destroying such wonders... WWF and Malagasy government implemented programs to protect nature and last remnants of the whole deep forest that covered Madagascar in the past. Note its nickname turning from "Blue Island" into "Red Island" after the past 30-year communist regime & the red earth that replaced deep blue forests.
Not to forget as well that the French fit out Lakandranon' Ampanalana known as Canal des Pangalanes. Rivers, lakes, pounds were "merged" so as to make it easy to convey goods and develop trade between coastal cities in a large channel... 700 km accessible by boat, pirogue...
This is the rainiest & most unpredictable part of the Island. In rainy season (Jan- March), water & winds just combine their powerful actions with strong hurricanes (cyclones) that devastate everything. Ap.-May, far less rain and bright sun. June-Oct., those kind of sudden, heavy but short rains in sunny weather. They just leave sky clear, bright sun and smoky earth. All of that just comes in unpredictable ways since climate changes in Mada & elsewhere.
See my Toamasina province page as well as pages on cities of:
- Toamasina
- Mahavelona
- "Heading East" I, II Tlogues in Faritanin'i Toamasina pages
Lakandranon' Ampanalana is my fondest memory of this part of the island. See my "Off the beaten path tips" in Faritanin'i Toamasina as well... Leave a Comment
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 Faritanin' i Fianarantsoa
(Center- SE) by Norali
Betsileo & Tanala share the Highlands (altitude varying from 700 to 2800m) with Sihanaka (Eastern part of Highlands) & Bara (Fianarantsoa & Toliara provinces) peoples.
Landscape is made of hills & plateau, includes Andringitra massif. Like anywhere else in Highlands, red shades come from red earth, orange bricks. Ricefields terraces, grass on hills display many shades of green depending on the rice growing. That was for Highlands.
As for the Eastern parts, they include villages that are edged by Lakandranon' Ampanalana on one hand & Indian ocean on another hand. Nice shores.
And of course, don't forget that Fianar is the gate to South. Amazing landscapes are in my 3 albums dedicated to my "Big South Journey". This is the province where Eastern rainforests adjoin with bush and desert areas, those of Southern parts.
Due to height, climate in the Highlands part is fresh in winter. March-Oct., winter nights but noon temperature can reach 25°C. Rainy & hot in Nov.- March.
In Eastern parts (East coast), climate is unpredictable. These are the rainiest parts of the Island. In rainy season (Jan- March), water and winds just combine their powerful actions with strong hurricanes (cyclones) that devastate everything. April & May, far less rain & bright sun. June-Oct., those kind of sudden heavy but short rains in sunny weather.
See my pages on Fianarantsoa province as well as my pages on Fianarantsoa city.
Fondest memories: "Big South Journey".
Please note that 3 albums are dedicated to my "Big South Journey". They include pictures and comments on Fianarantsoa. Find them amongst below Tlogues. Enjoy! Leave a Comment
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 Posy-posy (ricksaw) is
commonly used in Mada by Norali
* Antananarivo as capital city (my city).
* Until lately, 6 provinces (Faritany). New official arrangement lists 22 regions. Analamanga, Bongolava, Itasy, Vakinankaratra (from the Antananarivo province); Diana, Sava (from Antsiranana); Amoron'i Mania, Atsimo Atsinanana, Haute Matsiatra, Ihorombe, Vatovavy Fitovinany (from the Fianarantsoa's); Betsiboka, Boeny, Melaky, Sofia (from the Mahajanga's); Alaotra Mangoro, Analanjirofo, Atsinanana (from the Toamasina's); Androy, Anosy, Atsimo Andrefana, Menabe (from the Toliara's).
Whilst the artificial partition in province was introduced by colonials, cultural reality has one day to prevail. The current 22-region-partition is simply a translation of the peaceful coexistence of 22 tribes within an island. Here & more than ever, difference means wealth.
The VT database still runs the old scheme with Faritanin' Antananarivo; Faritanin' i Toamasina; Faritanin' i Fianarantsoa; Faritanin' Antsiranana; Faritanin' i Mahajanga; Faritanin' i Toliara ... Not to be mixed up with their main towns: Antananarivo; Toamasina; Fianarantsoa; Antsiranana; īMahajanga; Toliara cities.
* Ooops, I forgot!... 5000 km of beach: yellow sand, grey sand, white sand...
* Landscape ranges from rainforest areas to desert. Rain uses to mould the Island landscape. Dry, yellow-grass steppes and savanna in inland may turn green in rainy seasons. East coast is the most humid area as West coast is the driest. Plains alternate with hills and rocky mountains.
This unique and varied nature that spreads over these 6 provinces, is, however, under threaten. Man, unaware of the Island uniqueness, used to burn steppes, forests, chop trees for profit and, therefore, exterminate endangered species... Thanks to awareness arising, efforts are made to preserve nature's future .. thus man's future.
Also a hope for the future
Picture shows posy - posy, pousse-pousse or ricksaw. Its use is widely spread all over the area. Whilst it is used for conveying goods in Tana area, elsewhere, it is used for people's transportation. Quite in each province's capital city, you can hire posy in urban areas. Leave a Comment
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 Faritanin' i Toliara (S-
SW) by Norali
The new official partition in regions lists 4 regions in this Faritany: Androy, Anosy, Atsimo Andrefana, Menabe.
Please note that 3 albums are dedicated to my "Big South Journey" and tips related to them are in my Madagascar pages. Big South Journey is this roadtrip from Tana to Toliara surroundigs. Leave a Comment
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 Faritanin' i Mahajanga (N-W;
W) by Norali
Faritanin' i Mahajanga occupies a long territory West of the island. Used to be referred as the Boina region, it, however comprehends other regions inhabited by other tribes. The new official partition in regions is a simple translation of the cultural reality. This province is now divided in 4 regions: Betsiboka, Boeny, Melaky, Sofia .
I started posting pics in my Mahajanga page. Tips are added bit by bit...
See my Mahajanga province and city pages.
I just discovered this wesite, kind of interesting, about the province of Mahajanga. Browse it, you would find interesting info about tourism in the area (in French): www.majunga.org Leave a Comment
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Maybe interesting for your trip preparation: a website containing all Madagascar consulates and embassies.
http://www.madagascar-consulate.org/embassies-world.html
A Malagasy embassy will soon open in London. Up to now, Madagascar embassy in Paris has tackled matters related to Madagascar in UK. Update on Feb. 2006, it has been some time since the Madagascar consulate in London opened.
- family
- garden, flowers at home
- traditional Merina architecture Leave a Comment
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 Our orchid flora counts
endemic & shared species by Norali, 2 more photos
North-west cities use to house mosques, shores that remind you of past Arabic sea adventurers. In center, highlands and plateaux, ricefields remind you of Asia and South-American andes. Eastern rainforests, sometimes, adjoin with bush and desert areas, those of Southern parts.
On top of that, endemic fauna and flora... say 5 of 6 baobab species in the whole Africa. Lemurs, gigantic butterflies and chamilions of all kinds. Thousands of medicinal plants (even the very one used in cancer treatments). This unique and varied nature is, however, under threaten. Man, unaware of the Island uniqueness, used to burn steppes, forests, chop trees for profit and, therefore, exterminate endangered species... Thanks to awareness arising, efforts are made to preserve nature's future .. thus man's future. Makes me think that there is still hope for the future.
And peoples... great peoples living into extreme poverty on one hand, wealthy ones who live in opulence on another hand... Still, Malagasy people remain friendly, smiling, trying to hold on to their dignity despite decades of oppression and poverty... Seems that it is changing so as to give much hope for the future there as well.
Diversity and smiles Leave a Comment
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Tricky question: I would say "year- round" .. hehe... Well, depends on your interests:
* Seeing reptiles - amphibians: best during rainy season: January through March. Though they are present year-round.
* Photo Safari lovers, Madagascar is a photographers paradise and is beautiful year-round. April and May are best months, after the rains, flora is green and luxuriant.
* Interested in whale-watching? Go there from July through September in the Bay of Antongila, Nosy Boraha, Lokaro.
* Lemurs: September and October when the new babies are born.
* Birders, Choose September to December (breeding season) which is the most suitable time to find them as they are more vocal. Though visits before and after this period have also proved to be good, especially in the south and the west.
* Sun, sand, snorkeling, diving and fishing: year-round.
Please note that as for weather, Southern winter, April- October, is the best time to go. Summer (November to March), also known as hurricane season, is the sticky and sometimes unbearably hot one. Yet, Madagascar experiences a wide climatic range, central highlands can still be pleasant during summer. Rainy East coast gets most of its rain between June and September.
I remember of rain in Toamasina: weather was sunny, hot and suddenly, heavy rain poured (no storm, no thunder) for, say, 10 minutes and my clothes had time to dry while I was walking in the street.
Christmas mass at Anglican cathedral in Ambohimanoro - Christmas celebration Leave a Comment
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 Ask before taking pictures
(Marc) by Norali
Many fadys while visiting Isalo National park as one believes Isalo is home of Malagasy spirit.. as rocks use to house graves in that part of the island.. So, beware of what is forbidden (access to some places). Always go with a guide that would translate if needed. Note that subjects related to death, soul and spirit are important in Malagasy culture...
Andraikiba lake fady: no pork meat.
Other sites have other types of fady as well. In most areas, you do not have to point out tombs...
Traditional wisdom. Having left the country at 17, I, sometimes, need to listen to elder people talking about traditional wisdom, belief... I also miss the smile on people's face.. a discreet smile to say you were wrong or to ask for forgiveness when they are wrong... a beaming smile to welcome you, to invite you to join them for dinner. Leave a Comment
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 Rice cultivation: landscape,
tradition, food by Norali
It is "A history of Madagascar" by Sir Meryn BROWN, a former British ambassador in Madagascar. ISBN 09506284 5 X
History... Ambohimanga played an important role in Antananarivo, Merina clan histories and so the sacred hill did even on Madagascar's.
Picture: view on the Laniera plains that Nampoina had fit for rice cultivation. The plains extends in Northern Tana area.. surrounding Ambohimanga, Malaza, Lazaina, Sabotsy-Namehana, Anosy.. many of those areas being part of Ambohimanga municipailty. Malaza, my village is. Leave a Comment
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