Sponsor
This study was funded by “Le Conservatoire pour la Protection des Primates” ("La Vallée des Singes Primate Conservation and Research Grant” 2017 to AA), Oxford Brookes University, and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
Published In
International Journal of Primatology
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-25-2025
Subjects
Primate, Ethnoprimatology -- Lemur folklore, Legend, Taboo, Spirit possession, Animal funeral
Abstract
Ethnoprimatology emphasizes the complex sociocultural dimensions of human-alloprimate interactions, often overlooked in conservation practices and narratives shaped by ecological perspectives alone. In Madagascar, lemurs are deeply embedded in local traditions structured around taboos, legends, and kinship beliefs. Among them, the aye-aye ( Daubentonia madagascariensis ) is frequently subject to a narrative portraying it as an evil animal, an omen, or a harbinger of misfortune. Yet, cultural representations of the aye-aye across Madagascar are far more diverse. While some reports describe ritual killings, others recount respectful mortuary practices bestowed upon these primates. We explored the beliefs, narratives, and practices associated with the aye-aye in three regions of eastern Madagascar. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach, we combined quantitative and qualitative data from 219 semistructured interviews with grounded theory methodology and developed an interpretive framework for understanding the species’ cultural representations. Our results revealed a wide variety of traditions, including magical and therapeutic uses of aye-aye body parts and three legends underpinning these belief systems. We propose that these traditions stem from the belief that the aye-aye is inhabited by a spirit, whether evil or ancestral. Responses to its perceived nefarious powers vary from ritual display of the killed animal to mortuary practices comparable to human funerals. These findings urge a shift away from reductive narratives long popularized in recent decades, recognizing complexity and site-specificity. Similar to other contemporary ethnoprimatologists, we advocate for a cautious, context-sensitive approach to both reporting lemur-related traditions and designing conservation programs, emphasizing the need for carefully considering the religious systems that underlie practices involving threatened species.
Rights
Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/4.0/.
Locate the Document
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-025-00515-0
DOI
10.1007/s10764-025-00515-0
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/44228
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Citation Details
Anania, A., Besnard, F., Rasamisoa, D. C., Andriantsitoherina, E., Mosa, J. F., Campera, M., Phelps, M., Gibson, D., Eppley, T. M., & Donati, G. (2025). Unshrouding Narratives, Beliefs, and Practices Related to the Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) in Eastern Madagascar. International Journal of Primatology.