The Kalanoro
In Madagascar's forests, people tell of the kalanoro, a small, long-haired being with backward feet that lives near water.
What was reported
The kalanoro is a figure of Malagasy folklore, described as a small, human-like being, often less than a metre tall, with long hair, long nails and sometimes backward-pointing feet. It lives in forests, caves and near water, and is said to be shy and to come out at night.
Some stories say kalanoro can grant powers to those they favour, or steal food; others say they lure people into the forest.
Explanations offered
The kalanoro is generally understood as a figure of folklore. Some researchers have wondered if the legend preserves a memory of an extinct animal, such as a giant lemur, some of which lived on the island until about 1,000 years ago. There is no evidence that such beings exist today.
- When
- Told for generations
- Where
- Highland forests, Madagascar
- Witnesses
- Malagasy communities
- Status
- Legend
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.