Madagascar Travels

Madagascar is an island of secrets, where new species of wildlife are regularly discovered and rumours of mysterious aboriginals and natural phenomena persist in the forest. Christina Dodwell explores its least accessible corners and makes friends with its people. Her four-month journey began in the highlands where, travelling by horsedrawn stage coach, she encounters a healer, a village poet and families who perform bone-turning rites for the wellbeing of their ancestors. Taboos, fetishes and astrology weave through her travels among woodcarvers and lead to a royal meeting. She paddles a canoe on the south-east coastal rivers, and lays plans to ride in the capital's Grand Prix horse race. Travelling by ox cart and on foot, she enjoys Madagascar's rich plantlife and learns how this valuable genetic plant bank is at risk; while delving into prehistory leads her in quest of one of the world's largest fossilised forests.