The first recorded drought-driven famine was in 1895, followed by dozens since then. In the past they lasted a few months or a season; now they go on for several years
DANCING CARTOON lemurs, majestic baobab trees and lush documentaries about the extraordinary biodiversity of Madagascar have much to answer for. They have created an image of the world’s fourth-largest island that is jarringly at odds with reality: Madagascar is one of the poorest countries on Earth. Because it has banned foreign journalists , few in the outside world are aware of the famine that has left more than a million people hungry in the south of the Island.
Leave Fort Dauphin early in the morning, and the road is packed with people coming into town. Men carry four or five sacks of charcoal perched precariously on the backs of their bikes. Only some 15% of Malagasy have electricity, so charcoal is the main source of fuel for cooking. But chopping down trees for charcoal has devastated Madagascar, resulting in soil erosion, sandstorms and habitat destruction for much of the country’s unique flora and fauna. In 1960 Madagascar had 5m people.
Past Manambaro the road climbs through the mountains. They act as a natural barrier. To the east it rains as the clouds blowing in from the Indian Ocean bump up against the peaks. But to the west it is drier. Descending on the other side, the road passes through a forest of spiny cactus. In the 1920s the French introduced cochineal beetles here to clear land for farming. The result was devastating.
This part of Madagascar is famous for its funerary customs. To honour the dead, zebu must be killed and grand celebrations held in honour of the departed. Huge sums are invested in tombs. The numbers of zebu skulls displayed by the tombs attest to the wealth and social importance of the dead. Honouring ancestors is a big part of local culture.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Apple is about to announce its new iPhones — follow along for updatesApple is expected to introduce new iPhones and updates to its AirPods and Apple Watch during the event.
Read more »
Human remains found along California coastline prompt investigationThe remains were reportedly found in a remote location away from any trails and appeared to have been there for some time, the National Park Service said.
Read more »
What A Surprise! TIFF Premieres Music Doc ‘Listening To Kenny G,’ And Director And Subject Are Still Getting Along — TIFF StudioThere’s at least one music documentary premiering at TIFF where filmmaker and subject are not at odds: Listening to Kenny G. The popular saxophonist—the bestselling instrumentalist of all time—and …
Read more »
‘Anchorage’: Film Review | Oldenburg 2021Brothers go on a drug-fueled road trip in Scott Monahan’s two-hander.
Read more »
A journey from Kabul to KandaharA month after the Taliban took power, the journey between Afghanistan’s biggest cities illustrates how the country changed overnight
Read more »