Cultural Tour

All stays at Time + Tide properties contribute to the community and conservation work done through the Time + Tide Foundation. Guests have the opportunity to witness the impact of sustainable tourism firsthand through a guided cultural tour. Immerse yourself in Madagascar’s rich traditions and visit the island’s villages where you can learn about the island’s history and way of life.

PART 1: Nosy Ankao Primary School
Nosy Ankao Primary School was founded in 2007, when the island was occupied by over 1,000 seaweed farmers and their families. Due to warming ocean temperatures, the seaweed production slowed considerably in 2010 and many families left the island, however the school persisted for those who remained.

When the construction of Miavana began in 2013, permanent employees and island residents were able to move to Nosy
Ankao with their families thanks to the availability of primary schooling. To visit the school, you will hop on a quad bike for a short ride south, where you will meet the Education Manager for the Time + Tide Foundation. She will share our strategy for ensuring girls have equal opportunity to complete primary school and how we manage our sponsorship programme for students to attend high quality secondary schools on mainland Madagascar.

PART 2: Ampasimangidy Village
Ampasimangidy Village is one of the oldest villages in the archipelago. Before seaweed farming began on Nosy Ankao, it was rumoured to be used as a hideout for pirates. Later, it was used as a camping site for fishermen from neighbouring mainland villages. Some of the fishermen stayed permanently and started families on the island. When the seaweed farming began, the population increased.

Seaweed farming on Nosy Ankao slowed considerably following the El Niño of 2010 (natural marine occurrence that destroyed the seaweed farming), but several residents remained and found employment with Miavana. A visit to Ampasimangidy will provide the opportunity to learn more about the village structure, the architecture of the houses, the history of the area, and the people who live permanently on the island and their traditional beliefs. For example, it is a “fady” or taboo to give birth on the island because residents believe that a child born on the island will cursed. It is also a “fady” or a taboo to bury people who recently died on the island. Instead, they are buried on the mainland for a minimum of seven years in temporary tombs before they are then moved and reburied on the island. Additionally, it is considered taboo to bring four legged animals such as dogs, pigs and cats to the island. Interestingly, lemurs do not fit into this category because they are not exclusively quadrupedal.