Difference between revisions of "Baobab"

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Line 31: Line 31:
 
The oldest known baobab species (A. rubrustipa) located
 
The oldest known baobab species (A. rubrustipa) located
 
in the Tsimanampetsotse reserve is believed
 
in the Tsimanampetsotse reserve is believed
to be over 1,600 years old.<br><br>
+
to be over 1,600 years old.
  
 
In baobabs, all the cells
 
In baobabs, all the cells
Line 49: Line 49:
 
fatty acids (palmitic, oleic, linoleic) but also cyclopropenic
 
fatty acids (palmitic, oleic, linoleic) but also cyclopropenic
 
acids which must be degraded by cooking in order to make
 
acids which must be degraded by cooking in order to make
edible oil. The seeds are
+
edible oil. The seeds are sometimes roasted and used for coffee.
sometimes roasted and used for coffee.
 
 
In the South, women prepare beauty masks from bark reduced to
 
In the South, women prepare beauty masks from bark reduced to
a paste.<br><br>
+
a paste.
  
 
On the Mahafaly plateau, baobabs (A. a) are the
 
On the Mahafaly plateau, baobabs (A. a) are the
Line 62: Line 61:
 
men to survive in the dry season in
 
men to survive in the dry season in
 
a particularly arid
 
a particularly arid
and hostile environment.<br><br>
+
and hostile environment.
  
 
For the Sakalava ethnic group, the
 
For the Sakalava ethnic group, the
 
baobab is a sacred tree. The species A.
 
baobab is a sacred tree. The species A.
 
grandidieri is called "reniala"
 
grandidieri is called "reniala"
which means "mother of the forest".<br><br>
+
which means "mother of the forest".
  
 
The Sakalava associate the
 
The Sakalava associate the
Line 85: Line 84:
 
other legends are dedicated to
 
other legends are dedicated to
 
baobab.
 
baobab.
 
 
 
  
  

Revision as of 17:25, 5 March 2024

Products derived from the fruit pulp and seeds of the baobab tree can be used in a variety of food and drinks as well as for cooking and massage oils.

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The Baobab name originates from Arabic phrase bu hibab meaning fruit with many seeds. The first botanical description of the baobab was made by French botanist Michel Adanson and a species was later named Adansonia. The sixth and the last Malagasy species was discovered and described in 1960.

Baobabs are found in dry and semi-arid areas which receive less than 500 mm of water per year. They are succulent plants that adapt well to arid environments thanks to their water storage capacity in their thick and swollen trunks which contain up to 80% water.

The baobab only bear leaves in the rainy season and are leafless during the dry season which limits their water loss.

Baobab belong to the Bombacaceae family of trees which includes the Kapok tree. While there are nine species of baobab in the world, six of them are endemic to Madagascar, making the baobab tree symbolic to the big island.

The large flowers of baobab live only for one night and open almost simultaneously for all individuals of the same species. Baobabs are pollinated by moths, bats and bees. Birds such as sunbirds and certain lemurs also visit baobab flowers and can have a modest pollinating activity. The oldest known baobab species (A. rubrustipa) located in the Tsimanampetsotse reserve is believed to be over 1,600 years old.

In baobabs, all the cells are alive. This explains their exceptional healing and regeneration capabilities. Giants tolerate natural or man-made mutilations well and easily regenerate which sometimes gives them astonishing forms.

The fruit contain a dry and chalky pulp with interesting nutritional qualities, pulp, which mixed with water and sugar, constitutes a refreshing and vitamin-rich drink. Baobab seeds are oilseeds, richer in oil than peanuts. Baobab oils contain different fatty acids (palmitic, oleic, linoleic) but also cyclopropenic acids which must be degraded by cooking in order to make edible oil. The seeds are sometimes roasted and used for coffee. In the South, women prepare beauty masks from bark reduced to a paste.

On the Mahafaly plateau, baobabs (A. a) are the subject of a unique practice in the world! Their trunk is hollowed out and the cavities thus formed serve as cisterns. In the rainy season, they are filled with water. These reserves allow men to survive in the dry season in a particularly arid and hostile environment.

For the Sakalava ethnic group, the baobab is a sacred tree. The species A. grandidieri is called "reniala" which means "mother of the forest".

The Sakalava associate the Cistern baobab (A. za) baobab with wild nature and feminine symbolism. Certain sacred baobabs are places of worship dedicated to women and children. The ceremonies, which take place at their foot, focus on the fertility of women, the good health of children or even the fertility of the land, particularly during a symbolic ritual called "fitahan-jaza". A Malagasy legend says that Imbelo, the first man, created woman by carving her from baobab wood. Many other legends are dedicated to baobab.


Additional information