MADAGASCAR (1) 81 
mounds had been made, and these being grass-covered looked 
like two small hills jutting out of the swamps. They were burial 
grounds and when someone died a shallow grave was dug for the 
body, which was then covered and some of the deceased’s personal 
belongings placed on top. These often included a plate so that 
food could be left at night for the departed one by the spirits who 
are supposed to succor the dead. To get to the mounds I had to 
wade a couple of miles, but although so far from the village, my 
movements were closely watched. I felt rather guilty about this as 
it is so easy to offend peoples whose lives are governed by super- 
stitions and taboos, for the most trivial things are regarded as 
ill-omens. 
When walking along the one village street I felt, at times, like 
the Pied Piper of Hamelin, for I was followed by the entire child 
population, who all wanted to look into my reflex camera. The 
adults showed no such interest and my missionary friend told me 
afterwards that they were scared of me. This was no surprise as I 
have had the same experience everywhere with primitive people. 
It is probably my unusual height and the fact that I show no fear 
of them. To this must be added my (to them) unusual profession, 
for the activities of a naturalist are something they cannot under- 
stand. Not only are the villages (according to local belief) surging 
with brigands, witches, and evil spirits at night, but the lake itself 
harbors a water-god who controls everything pertaining to the 
lake. No use complaining or changing the bait if you have had 
bad luck fishing—it is the will of the water-god. It is he who 
claims you if your canoe capsizes and who controls the level of 
the lake. 
This mythical creature is a monster with seven heads, and goes 
under the name of Fananimpitoloha. There are also water-prin- 
cesses, called Andriambavirano, who have very long hair which 
never gets wet, but their significance is obscure. Maybe they are 
the handmaidens to the monster. 
After the departure of my friends from Ambatosoratra I was 
the sole occupant of the railway station, and at night exercised 
myself by walking up and down the station platform. The night 
noises were impressive, for the waters of the lake were at that 
