A naturalist in Madagascar A record of observation, experiences, and impressions made during a period of over fifty years' intimate association with the natives and study of the animal & vegetable life of the island

CHAPTER XX

Chapter 2080 wordsPublic domain

AMONG THE SOUTH-EASTERN PEOPLES 257

Hova Conquest of and Cruelties to the Coast Tribes—The Traveller’s Tree and its Fruits—A Hova Fort—Ball Head-dressing —Rice-fields—Volcanic Phenomena—Vòavòntaka Fruit—A Well-dunged Village—Water from the Traveller’s Tree—We are stopped on our Way—A Native Distillery—Taisàka Mat Clothing—Bark Cloth—Native Houses and their Arrangement —Secondary Rocks—Ankàrana Fort—A Hospitable Reception—A Noisy Feast—“A Fine Old _Malagasy_ Gentleman”—A Hearty “Set-Off”—Primitive Spoons and Dishes—Burial Memorials