A traditional remedy with an untold story. Considered in Madagascar as a "universal remedy," ranomena was the focus of the 108th Café-histoire, held this Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Photography Museum in Anjohy. On this occasion, Gabrielle Robbins, an anthropologist at the University of Oxford, traced the history and uses of this traditional remedy, prepared from cattle bones combined with various aromatic plants and obtained through distillation.

In Madagascar, ranomena is renowned for treating various ailments, including wounds, cough, and the common cold. Yet the history of this remedy remains largely unexplored. Gabrielle Robbins' presentation thus traced its evolution over three centuries, from the 19th to the 21st century, to understand how it acquired such a prominent place in Malagasy society.

A remedy of animal origin that opens new avenues. The researcher was particularly interested in the composition of ranomena, mainly derived from cattle bones. A choice that allows addressing an understudied aspect of Malagasy pharmacopeia. While plant-based remedies have already been the subject of extensive research, those of animal origin remain largely unknown.

The study of ranomena thus contributes to expanding research on the history of health and medicine in Madagascar. It also allows questioning the place and role of cattle in Malagasy society, through the medicinal uses associated with them.

Gabrielle Robbins is an anthropologist at the University of Oxford. Her work presented at this Café-histoire focuses on ranomena, its history, its uses, and its place in Malagasy society. Through the study of this remedy of animal origin, she is more broadly interested in the history of health and medicine in Madagascar as well as the role of cattle in Malagasy society.

Cassie Ramiandrasoa