A walk in the heart of the vllage of Marodoka will help you learn more about the culture and Kiswahili traditions as well as the Indian influences from the XVth century.You will find there vestiges from the Sakalava people and Nosy Be’s history.
Historical village
Marodoka is a former Kiswahili village which is located a few kilometers from Nosy Be’s centre. Through centuries, the village has welcomed people from very different horizons : merchants from India and arab people who got attracted by the place’s culture and historic wealth. in the program, discovery of an ylang-ylang distillery and visit of the village of Marodoka. Not far from there is Lokobe’s natural reserve which is available to visit. This circuit allows to dive into the Sakalava culture and discover Nosy Be’s treasures and ancestral traditions.
The circuit invits you to disccover and take part in Nosy Be’s traditional dances (there are five of them) and also offers you to taste the djowa, a traditional dish made of local products and medicinal plants.
Sakalava were the first inhabitants of Ambanoro (today called Marodoka). The village was established by the first arab and indian migrants in the XVth century who were traders for gold, spices, turtle shells, but also slaves. You can discover there colonial architecture with indian influences and a Mosque. The village is today in ruin but still keeps traces of former houses which help understand Nosy Be’s traditions and actual culture.
Ghosts house
Distance : 100 m foot guidance circuit Length : 30 min visit Tourist attractions : Karim Djikak’s home, who was Marodoka’s richest Indian. He lived with ghosts who had the task to ensure his protection. Difficulty level : Easy
Nosy Be’s first port
Distance : 200 m foot guidance circuit Durée : 10 min de visite Tourist attractions : It was Nosy Be’s first port, it was built with coral reefs. It was also a place where slaves from Africa were traded. Difficulty level : Easy
Indian hut
Distance : 50 m circuit foot guidance circuit Length : 20 min visit Tourist attractions : One of the former house built by indian traders from the XVth century. Their doors, windows and balconies are carved. Difficulty level : Easy
Madagascar’s first Mosque
Distance : Foot guidance circuit Length : 10 min visit Tourist attractions : The first mosque built in Madagascar, around 1700. It is surrounded by its builders’ graves. Difficulty level : Easy
Indian Cemetery
Distance : 100m Foot guidance circuit Length : 20 min visit Tourist attractions : Those are the cemeteries of Indian people who lived in Marodoka. They existed since 1850, a date marked on one of these graves. They confirme the existence of Indians in Marodoka. Difficulty level : Easy
Cacao circuit
Walk in the cacao alleys
Distance : Circuit 4 km Length : 2 to 3 hours visit Tourist attractions :
Difficulty level : Average
