Spring, according to the red fody (Fodilahimena). Although the winter chill took a while to dissipate, it makes one wonder whether it is due to climate change or simply the aging of our own bodies. The traditional saying, ‘Oh forest fody, do not eat the people’s rice,’ reflects the tension between nature and agriculture. However, as forests disappear and trees are pruned in gardens, the birds are forced to migrate or adapt to urban environments where they are often unwelcome.
The article reflects on the disappearance of birds once common in Malagasy folklore, such as the kestrel (hitsikitsika), the kite (papango), and the crow (goaika), as urban sprawl encroaches on their habitats. The author delves into various Malagasy proverbs involving the fody, illustrating how these birds were historically viewed as pests to rice crops, yet deeply embedded in the cultural consciousness.
From proverbs about protecting rice fields to those criticizing political opportunists—often compared to the ‘tsikirity’ (a small bird) following the fody—the text serves as a cultural commentary on the relationship between humans, nature, and the changing landscape of Madagascar.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-28 06:38:34 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/lohataona-ambaranny-fodilahimena.html