The myths and associated practices testify to the richness of the relationships that human populations have maintained with lemurs, endemic animals of the island, since the arrival of humans in Madagascar. The representations with regard to lemurs differ at every point of the territory: Founding ancestors, benefactors, forbidden (on hunting, consumption, touching), sacred, tamed, feared or bringing bad luck, lemurs occupy many statuses in the heart of the Malagasy bestiary. Some traditions weaken their existence, others on the contrary contribute to their preservation.
Coming according to all hypotheses from the Indonesian and African coasts, the first human settlements gradually adapted their beliefs and customs to their new environment, giving rise to mythical stories, rites and specific representations which highlight the multiple links that men developed. with their natural environment.
The Madagascans attribute multiple statuses to lemurs accompanied by names, prohibitions, attributions and practices that are sometimes antagonistic from one point of the territory to another.
Some lemurs, related to the human species through “tantara” (tales and stories), are venerated and fady (prohibited), others attached to the royal family are sacred (masina) and have a power of granting. Still others, on the contrary, bring great misfortunes, as is the case with Aye-aye in almost the entire Eastern region.
Be that as it may, this cultural relationship between lemurs and humans keeps the future of these wild beings threatened everywhere in their habitat but also in people's minds in a very restricted space.
photo credit VELIZAR SIMEONOVSKI
Guides 11/26/2020
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