Antoetra (Madagascar)

Antoetra serves as the starting point for the famous hikes that lead to the various villages dotted around the local area here, and which take several hours of walking through wonderful mountain landscapes to reach.

The Zafimaniry people are famous for their woodworking skills. In fact they really are veritable wood carving artists, and their work can be seen in the architecture of the entirely wooden local houses and the elaborately realised ornamental features with which they are decorated. The rampant deforestation taking place in the region unfortunately poses a real threat to the continued survival this ancient skill and know-how. In order to combat this and ensure a better future for the local people, programmes of reforestation designed to re-establish the ancient forests and preserve these artistic traditions – which today provide a livelihood for a large number of people – have been put in place with the help of the villagers themselves.

So do make sure you bring a local craft product back with you as a souvenir of your trip to Madagascar!