Berenty Reserve

Located 8 km from Amboasary along the Mandrare River, Berenty offers a sanctuary for the region’s fauna and flora: lemurs, reptiles, turtles, birds, bats…Berenty is composed of three parcels: the dry thorny forest of Rapily and two large gallery forests, Bealoka (200 hectares to the north) and the forest of Malaza (240 hectares near the village of Berenty).

The entire protected area covers an area of 1,000 hectares and also includes the Anjapolo thorn forest plots located north of the Bealoka forest. The conservation of these gallery forests is a great challenge, as the aerial observation of the area carried out in 2004 by the famous primatologist Alison Jolly showed that these are the last remaining gallery forests in the Mandrare valley.

Berenty’s ecosystem is formed by a gallery forest with tamarinds along the Mandrare River and a dry thorny forest where didieraceae are abundant. Anjapolo is home to the Didierea Trolli or octopus plant, an impressive species not found in other thorny areas of the reserve.

The reserve is home to 6 species of lemurs(verreauxi verreauxi propithecus, Catta lemurs, eulemur fulvus), 3 of which are nocturnal ( microcebus murinus, microcebus griseorufus andlepilemur leucopus) , microcebus griseorufus and lepilemur leucopus) as well as 102 species of birds of which 41% are endemic to the region(Polyboroides madagascariensis, Mulvus migrans, Colvus albus, Coua gigas, Coua cristata, Bulbulcus ibis….) reptiles, bats and tenrecs.

Both turtles and lemurs were for hundreds of years, “fady” (tabu) for the Antandroy ethnic group, inhabitants of this arid region, a fact that favored their survival. Unfortunately, they are not today, which is why several NGOs carry out awareness projects for the protection of the region’s fauna and flora.

On the track that leads to Berenty we can observe the triangular palm tree (Dypsis decaryi) endemic to Madagascar.

We can also visit the sisal factory which annually produces 3000 tons of fiber and is one of the economic engines of the region. And the Androy Museum, designed by anthropologists Georges Heurtebize and Sara Fee, will allow us to learn about the use and customs of the Antandroy ethnic group, one of the most anthropologically interesting ethnic groups in the country.

In fact it is a reproduction of an Antandroy home, its domestic utensils, weapons, silver jewelry collection, typical hats, seeds, mortuary cloths, alo alo etc… also an exhibition of images of pre-circumcision ceremonies, funeral celebrations and local festivities.

“Arambelo” is the ceremony performed by a father when his son goes to work on the outskirts of Androy. The father mixes some of his saliva with the ashes of the hearth fire and touches his son’s forehead and heart, wishing for his safe return.

The Antandroy are at once among Madagascar’s most enterprising and most conservative people. Many migrate from their drought-prone lands to seek work in other parts of the country. Many also return, having earned money to buy cattle for bride price or to hold large funerals.

Source ©Indigo Be Magazine