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'''Lake Ravelobe, also known as Lac Ravelobe, is a sacred lake located in the [[Ankarafantsika National Park]], ...km north 115 kilometres south of [[MajungaMahajanga]] in the west of Madagascar.'''
=== Legends about Lake Ravelobe === Ravelobe was a Malagasy patriot who participated in World War II. Back home, he asked the French colonists to administrate the cantonment of Ambatoboeny, but his request was denied. He then formed a group of rebels in the ''garafantsy'' ("hill of thorns" - Ankarafantsika area). From thereon, Ravelobe and his followers robbed travellers and bypassers in the area. [[File:Ankarafantsika_National_Park_036.jpg|600px]] The crocodiles ([[Nile crocodile|Nile crocodiles]]) of Lake Ravelobe are considered sacred. Every year zebus are sacrificed to these the crocodiles, which have a specific special name: ''mampisento'' - "that is sighing". The story of the mampisento crocodiles dates back to the days of [[King Andriamisondrotramasinarivo]] of the [[Marambitsy]] lineage (Sakalava ethnic group, originating from Mitsinjo), who out of pride, not wanting the annexation of the [[Merina]] to his territory during the reign of [[Radama I]] (1810-1828), threw his family and himself into the lake. A gatekeeper of the king declined to follow his master into suicide. Shortly after he died, a crocodile appeared at the shore of the lake and spoke strangely in the voice of the gatekeeper and its sigh was for all those who saw it.<br><br>
Until today the lake is sacred and pork is not allowed in the area, as the Marambitsy were Muslims.<br><br>
<div style="max-width:600px;">
{{#display_map:
-16.305477, 46.81489~'''Lake Ravelobe (Lac Ravelobe)'''~~;
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== Additional information ==
View all [[Lake Ravelobe photos]]