WHY DOES THE BAOBAB TREE DESERVE THAT NAME?
The baobab tree can be a source of water for thirsty humans and animals. The body of a baobab tree is unlike that of most other trees. It is soft, fibrous and wet. Elephants scratch the trunk of the tree to release water from the fibres. Thirsty humans can bore a hole into the baobab tree trunk, take out the soft, wet fibres and squeeze water out of them. The hollowed out tree trunk then collects water which humans can continue to use. Sometimes the centre of the tree dies naturally and a useable water reservoir is formed. Baobab trees are known to store up to 1000 gallons of drinkable water. (2) It is possible for a baobab tree to live for thousands of years. For the people who live near it, the tree becomes part of religion and tradition because it has been there forever, through all human memory. The native people of Madagascar call the tree “renala” which means “mother of the forest”. (3) In Madagascar, Grandidier’s baobab is believed to be the dwelling place of spirits. Offerings
