Masindrano

Masindrano stands on a narrow dune between the Indian Ocean and a lagoon at the mouth of the Mananjary River. Local tradition attributes its foundation to Ravalarivo, a descendant of the migrant ancestor Raminia. After living farther inland, Ravalarivo is said to have moved nearer the sea and established the village of Masindrano, a name referring to brackish water. His followers knew him as Ratiambahoaka, a name connected with that of the Antambahoaka people.