Ambositra is a town in the central
highlands of Madagascar located on the RN7, the main thoroughfare
when going from Tana to anywhere in the south.
Although it is a fairly big Highland
town, it is one that many travelers and tourist simply pass through on their
way north or south. This being said it
is a welcome stop for those who want to purchase any wooden souvenirs or see
one of the historic Rovas (royal palace).
Ambositra is known as the center of the wood carving industry in Madagascar and one will find streets lined with shops
selling wooden figurines, ornately carved furniture, games, and such. With the trade in wood products comes the
occasional trade in rosewood,
an endemic and endangered tree in Madagascar. There is a fairly big trade in splendidly made silk scarves here as well.
an endemic and endangered tree in Madagascar. There is a fairly big trade in splendidly made silk scarves here as well.
The day after I arrived being
Easter, meant that many of the shops were closed for the day. This being the case I took the chance to make
explore the town. The next day we made the
hike out to the historic Rova. The hike
from town to the Rova was about 1.5 hours, winding through the rice paddies up
hill all the way. The Rova itself, like
all the others in Madagascar, was placed on the top of the highest hill
adjacent to the town, giving the king an amazing view of the town and
surrounding area. It also meant that his
subjects would have to make the long hike up the hill to talk to him; which was
probably part of the reason for placing it there. The Rova was a small fortified complex made
up of two buildings, two tombs, a large stone where the king would make his
speeches, and the fortifications. Later
that evening we walked out to the Benedictine convent, in the north of town,
where we had heard from other Volunteers they made the best cheese in Madagascar.
This may have been the case, but on our arrival they only had the huge
wheels of cheese and I was unwilling to buy that much cheese so I will never
know.
Rova
Benedictine convent
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