Oly Ny Aina Ralison Andrianantoandro

Second cohort of the African Fellowships for Research in Indigenous and Alternative Knowledges / Deuxième cohorte du programme de Bourses africaines pour la recherche sur les savoirs autochtones et alternatifs (AFRIAK) .

Affliation: University of Antananarivo, Master 2 in Anthropology (Heritage Sciences), Antananarivo 101, Madagascar.
Madagascar Nature Conservation (MNC), Andavadoaka village, Ampasilava, Befandefa Commune, Morombe District, Atsimo-Andrefana Region, Madagascar

Discipline: Anthropology, specialization in Heritage Sciences

Country / Pays: Madagascar

Project Title / Titre du projet: This research examines Indigenous medical knowledge related to medicinal plants in southwest Madagascar, focusing on how healing knowledge is produced, transmitted, and practiced through everyday life, cultural values, and fady, and how these shape human–nature relations and local health practices.

Biographie / Biography: I am currently working as a research assistant with Madagascar Nature Conservation on the Schinazi Synergy Project, which focuses on socio-economic and cultural dynamics in southwest Madagascar. My role involves conducting qualitative fieldwork, including interviews and community surveys, assisting with data transcription and analysis, and contributing to the preparation of academic outputs.
I am also involved in drafting a scientific article based on this research in collaboration with project partners. These activities have strengthened my training in anthropological research methods, community-based conservation, and ethical engagement with local knowledge systems.