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The Tsaranoro Massif and Andringidra Andringitra Massif form the natural border between the territories of the [[Bara]] and [[Betsileo]] people. It is believed that the name Tsaranoro originates at around 1820, a time when the Betsileo were fighting the [[Merina]] who tried to overthrow their neighbouring kingdoms. Therefore, the Betsileo King Sahanambo was hiding with his closest followers in a cave in the nearby highlands. The cave entrance was barricaded for several months, until food ran short and new provisions had to be obtained in the valley. The king ordered his two sisters, Ratsara and Ranoro, to walk down the valley to fetch food. After the sisters left, the cave entrance was carefully closed again. As Ratsara and Ranoro faced no problems in organising new provisions they returned earlier than expected and found the cave still closed. Even by making loud noises, shouting and knocking, nobody opened. Although, the sisters had enough to eat they were missing fresh water and therefore became weaker and weaker as the days went by until they finally died of thirst.
When King Sahanombo ordered the cave to be opened, he found his two sisters dead at the entrance. In their honour he named the highest rock ''Tsaranoro''. The three rocks on the left were named ''Vatovoarindrina'' - meaning "closed stone gates". Since those days it is ''[[fady]]'' (prohibited) to talk of the Merina people or even speak with a Merina accent within the sacred forest at the foot of the mountain. It is believed, the person breaking the fady will walk in circles and eventually get lost.
