According to legend, Zanahary (God) called upon the Fody bird to bring rice to Earth, tasking it with teaching humans how to choose the planting season and how to cultivate rice. Upon completing its mission, the Fody returned to report to Zanahary, who, pleased with the bird’s service, granted it a unique trait: its plumage changes color whenever the rice ears ripen, turning into a ‘Fodilahimena’ (red-feathered Fody) during the harvest season. Thus, every year, when humans see the red Fody, they know it is time to prepare for the harvest.
Another legend originates from the Ankaratra mountains, specifically at Ambohitrakoholahy. It is said that the Son of God descended from heaven with a pair of chickens. He fed them raw rice before descending. He slaughtered the rooster to retrieve the rice from its crop, which is how rice first arrived on Earth. The hen laid eggs, replacing the slaughtered rooster. When Andrianakotrina came to ask for rice, he was refused, so he used a ‘rambondambalandy’ (a type of plant) to measure and magically transfer the rice, spreading it across the land.
A third account suggests that one day, rice seeds fell from the sky along with the rain, landing in the fields and sprouting. As people wondered at this, Rabekidona (the Thunder) was sent from the heavens to tell them: ‘This rice is a gift from God for you to sow. Do not fear when you hear me thunder, for it signals the coming of rain, and you shall never know famine.’ Every time it thunders, humans are reminded that they are not forgotten by God.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-29 05:39:34 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/angano-arira-tsy-lainga.html