1. The Human-Eating Tree in Madagascar
A sketch of the popular human-eating tree in Madagascar. Photo credit: Shuker Nature
Since the 19th century, the story of the human-eating tree in Madagascar has continued to dominate the realm of African traditional storytelling, with local and foreign authors creating varying accounts about the tree. It is said that the people of Mkodo in ancient Madagascar used to perform human sacrifices by forcing one of their own to climb to the apex of the tree, which contained a treacle fluid.
The slender branches of the tree would then grab the victim by the neck and arms and strangle them to death. The contraction of the branches caused the treacle fluid to stream down the trunk, mixing with the blood and oozing guts of the victim. The Mkodos would then drink the fluid and perform an outrageous and unspeakably gruesome orgy. This legendary carnivorous tree was locally referred to as “Ya-Te-Veo,” meaning “I see you.”
