Tradition / Region: Madagascar Mythology
Alternate Names: Tratratratra
Category: Forest dweller, Monkey
The Myth
Tretretretre is a shaggy forest creature from Madagascar said to be about the size of a calf. It has monkey-like forelimbs and hind limbs, a short tail, curly hair, and a round, human-like head and face.
It was described as living in forested regions and being agile, able to climb trees easily. Local people were said to fear it, though it was also said to fear humans in return.
Some accounts suggest that stories of Tretretretre may be linked to large extinct lemurs that once inhabited Madagascar. These included massive, slow-moving tree-dwelling animals that lived until several centuries ago. Their extinction has been attributed to environmental change and human activity.
Sources
Bestiary. (n.d.). Tretretretre. From https://www.bestiary.us/tretretretre