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→Legends about Lake Ravelobe
[[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 the crocodiles, which have a 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.
Until today the lake is sacred and pork is not allowed in the area, as the Marambitsy were Muslims.<br><br>