Madagascar: The Monarchy

History part 2

The Western World’s studies on the history of civilizations and culture are anthropological and archeological based researches. However, these researches often omit or tend to ignore the oral histories of certain civilizations and cultures that play an important role in understanding the people as well as their ancient traditions.

In the Malagasy culture, oral history and legends play a critical role in understanding the origins of our people and gives us a perspective on “Zanahary” (our Creator). The Malagasy people respect every tradition that has been passed down from their ancestors through many generations. Their belief in “Zanahary” was ever-present before colonization and evangelization in the Kingdom of Madagascar.

Besides the evident timeline that can be traced from the history of our monarchy, our history is also our beliefs, the relations that we have together as a people and our culture (influenced by the many nations that came on the Island). But before getting into these legends and oral histories that shaped our  Island-Nation, it is essential to understand how the island became the Kingdom of Madagascar.

The 18 tribes in Madagascar had their own kingdoms and once had conflicts between the people who wanted more land and those who fought to defend their land. These conflicts were essential to build our nation, like any other nation. Obviously, the tribes that had more numbers had power in Madagascar until another tribe would take over and that is how it all began.

The first kingdom was founded in the 16^th Century by the Sakalava tribe which was then known as the Kingdom of Menabe and took over almost half of the Island.

Soon after, the Kingdom of Imerina took over with more numbers and established a long-term monarchy until the “vazaha” (Europeans) took over.

Here is the timeline of the history of the Kingdom of Imerina:

1600s: The Hovas were known to have chased away the Vazimba in the Central region. Some Vazimbas came back to claim their land later on when the Merina tribe was established. The King of the Merina at the time (Andrianajaka) with his army fought against the Vazimbas and took over Analamanga (the hills on which Antananarivo was founded years later). Peace was still not present on the Island and so intertribal marriages were made by the Merinas to strengthen their alliances. Many misunderstandings occurred which led to ongoing conflicts with tribes up until the reign of Prince Ramboasalama known later on as King Andrianampoinimerina.

Andrianampoinimerina

1700s: The legendary Andrianampoinimerina founds the capital city of Antananarivo on Analamanga and tries to unify the Malagasy people. He was famous for this quote:

"The seas will be the only limit to my Kingdom"

...But did not accomplish his dream of taking full control of the full Kingdom of Menabe. However, he did sign a peace pact with Queen Boina from the Sakalava region to resolve their disputes over land. When king Andrianampoinimerina passed away, he also passed down an organized constitution in the Island of Madagascar, leaving his son Idama or Radama I in charge of his Kingdom.

1800s:  Radama I was very fond of the Europeans, in fact he was the first to sign treaties with the Europeans which permitted Europeans to come into the Island peacefully for the first time. He then gave himself the title as the first "King of Madagascar".

Also, the culture of the Merina dance "Dihy gasy" started to assimilate European characteristics during his reign. Characteristics such as red dance costumes for men inspired by Napoleon I's attire.  

Radama I also wore clothes inspired by his idol Napoleon I but of course, his attire had to look better and more European than the Malagasy dancers who wore red outfits but still kept the Malagasy hats and some Malagasy features to their outfits.Usually these Malagasy dancers would perform during celebratory events such as: arrival of foreign colonels, weddings, births etc.

Napoleon I

Radama I

1800s: Radama I's short life left his wife Ramavo OR Rabodonandrianampoinimerina (who is also his cousin) to become Queen of Madagascar. Her name was made famous and she was known as Ranavalona I and reigned for 30 years.

In those 30 years, as opposed to her husband's love for Europeans, Ranavalona I loathed the Europeans that were invading her Kingdom and decided to get rid of them and their evil beliefs in Christianity. She was very traditionalist and wanted authenticity in the Malagasy culture. She declared war against every French, English men (except Jean Laborde who helped her establish the first Malagsy industry) and religious missionaries on the Island, ordering her army to kill every Christian including the Malagasy people that were "brainwashed" by the European's evil beliefs (1845). It is due to her bloody massacres that most Malagasy people later on accepted Christianity and reverted from traditionalist beliefs (animism). Still, animism is still part of the Malagasy culture and beliefs and many on the Island still refuse to convert to Christianity for many reasons such as Ranavalona I's reasons (to keep the Malagasy culture authentic and to keep our ancestor's culture).

Ranavalona I

1800s: After her long reign, her son Radama II (also known as Rakoto) took over and decided to sign peace treaties with the Europeans and treaties which gave the French rights to have some lands in Madagascar. Furious, the Hovas of Madagascar declared a "coup d'état" during which Radama II was killed. His wife Rasoaherina took over and married prime minister, Rainilairivony.

Rainilairivony

Radama II and Rasoaherina

When Rasoaherina passed away, Radama II's second wife Ramona (also his cousin) took over and became known as Ranavalona II, marrying also prime minister Rainilairivony. 

Ranavalona II

Then, before she passed away, she gives her power to her niece who she names Ranavalona III.

Ranavalona III became the last Queen of Madagascar before Madagascar became a French protectorate. She signed contracts and made agreements with the French on land occupancies. Internationally recognized by the Zanzibar Convention (1890) as a French protectorate and not as an independent legitimate Kingdom, problems escalated with the reigning monarchy. Ranavalona III lost her power that same year when her palace (Rova palace) was bombarded by the French where she was forced to surrender to the French.

The French then colonized the Kingdom of Madagascar which led to the establishment of the "French Protectorate of Madagascar". 

Ranavalona III

Rova Palace 
 of Madagascar before its destruction
Above: French troops arriving in Madagascar 

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For more info on the period of the French Colony/Protectorate of Madagascar click here: [FRENCH ONLY]