Andriambelomasina
Encyclopedia
Andriambelomasina born Rakotomavo ("Yellow Man"), also known as Andriana
-velona-masina ("Living Sacred King") and Andriamaheritsialainolotany ("Strong King Whose Land Cannot Be Stolen") was a Merina
King of Imerina Avaradrano, the northern part of the central highlands of Madagascar. The capital of his kingdom was located at Ambohimanga
.
of Imerina on his mother's side. He was adopted by the childless King of Imerina Avaradrano, Andriantsimitoviaminiandriana Andriandrazaka
, to whom he succeeded in 1730 on the throne of Ambohimanga
.
Andriambelomasina's rule was distinguished by the introduction of the first Malagasy mint, which was used to produce tavaiky silver coins based on the model of the Portuguese piastre. Foreign coins had long been a preferred currency in dealings with foreign slavers and traders; monarchs were often buried with these valuable items in a display of their wealth. The venture was not long-lasting, however. Campbell (1993) suggests its rapid collapse was due to a massive influx of foreign-produced coinage following the economic development of the nearby Mascarene islands
.
He also established a standard measurement called the vata, equivalent to about 15 liters. When Andrianampoinimerina
later developed a more complete system of measurements and imposed its use across his realm, he preserved the vata measurement (in slightly modified form) in honor of his grandfather. Andrianampoinimerina decreed that this original vata was to continue to be used in perpetuity in Ikaloy where Andriambelomasina had reigned.
(Andrianjafinandriamanitra), succeeded on the death of his father in 1770 to the throne of Imerina Avaradrano at Ambohimanga. Andrianjafy's brothers were named Andriantsimitoviaminandriana and Andriantsimitovizafinitrimo.
Andriambelomasina was also the grandfather of the great Merina King, Andrianampoinimerina. Believing that the part of the Kingdom of Imerina he ruled was threatened, Andriambelomasina had the strategic idea to marry his daughter Ranavalonanadriambelomasina to the King Andriamiaramanjaka of Ikaloy and Anjafy, a Zafimamy/Alahamadintany Kingdom north of Ambohimanga. The son born of this union, Andrianampoinimerina, would go on to reunify Imerina during his reign and extend his rule beyond the highlands of Madagascar, thereby establishing the basis for the unification of the entire island of Madagascar—an aim pursued and almost completely achieved by Andrianampoinimerina's son Radama I (1810–1831).
Andriambelomasina died in 1770 at Ambohimanga and was laid to rest in the family tomb inside a coffin made from a hollowed-out tree trunk, in the tradition of the nobles of Imerina at the time.
Andriana
Andriana is a title of nobility in Madagascar and often traditionally formed part of the names of noblemen, princes and kings. Historically, many Malagasy ethnic groups lived in highly stratified caste-based social orders in which the andriana were the political and/or spiritual leaders...
-velona-masina ("Living Sacred King") and Andriamaheritsialainolotany ("Strong King Whose Land Cannot Be Stolen") was a Merina
Merina
The Merina are an ethnic group from Madagascar. The Merina are concentrated in the Highlands and speak the official dialect of the Malagasy language, which is a branch of the Malayo-Polynesian language group derived from the Barito languages, spoken in southern Borneo. Their ancestors, the...
King of Imerina Avaradrano, the northern part of the central highlands of Madagascar. The capital of his kingdom was located at Ambohimanga
Ambohimanga
The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga is a site of cultural and historical significance located approximately 24 kilometers to the east of the capital city of Antananarivo in Madagascar...
.
Birth and lineage
Born at Ambohitrontsy (also Ambohitrosy), he was the son of Andriamifonozozoro and Princess Rangorinimerina, and grandson of King AndriamasinavalonaAndriamasinavalona
King Andriamasinavalona , also known as Andrianjakanavalondambo, was a King of Imerina in the central part of the highlands of Madagascar.-Early life:...
of Imerina on his mother's side. He was adopted by the childless King of Imerina Avaradrano, Andriantsimitoviaminiandriana Andriandrazaka
Andriantsimitoviaminiandriana Andriandrazaka
Andriantsimitoviaminiandriana Andriandrazaka was King of Avaradrano in the central highlands of Madagascar from 1710 to 1730, and King of neighboring Ambohidrabiby after defeating his brother...
, to whom he succeeded in 1730 on the throne of Ambohimanga
Ambohimanga
The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga is a site of cultural and historical significance located approximately 24 kilometers to the east of the capital city of Antananarivo in Madagascar...
.
Rule
Andriambelomasina had two wives: the first, his principal wife, was Queen Rasoherimananitany; the second was Queen Renidrodonimerina.Andriambelomasina's rule was distinguished by the introduction of the first Malagasy mint, which was used to produce tavaiky silver coins based on the model of the Portuguese piastre. Foreign coins had long been a preferred currency in dealings with foreign slavers and traders; monarchs were often buried with these valuable items in a display of their wealth. The venture was not long-lasting, however. Campbell (1993) suggests its rapid collapse was due to a massive influx of foreign-produced coinage following the economic development of the nearby Mascarene islands
Mascarene Islands
The Mascarene Islands is a group of islands in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar comprising Mauritius, Réunion, Rodrigues, Cargados Carajos shoals, plus the former islands of the Saya de Malha, Nazareth and Soudan banks...
.
He also established a standard measurement called the vata, equivalent to about 15 liters. When Andrianampoinimerina
Andrianampoinimerina
Ruling between 1787–1810, Andrianampoinimerina , born Ramboasalama or Ramboasalamarazaka at Ambohimanga around 1745 , initiated the unification of Madagascar under Merina rule and is considered one of the greatest military and political...
later developed a more complete system of measurements and imposed its use across his realm, he preserved the vata measurement (in slightly modified form) in honor of his grandfather. Andrianampoinimerina decreed that this original vata was to continue to be used in perpetuity in Ikaloy where Andriambelomasina had reigned.
Descendants
Andriambelomasina had three sons. The oldest, AndrianjafyAndrianjafy
King Andrianjafy also known as Andrianjafinandriamanitra and Andrianjafinjanahary, was the king of Imerina Avaradrano, the northern part of the central highlands of Madagascar with its capital at Ambohimanga....
(Andrianjafinandriamanitra), succeeded on the death of his father in 1770 to the throne of Imerina Avaradrano at Ambohimanga. Andrianjafy's brothers were named Andriantsimitoviaminandriana and Andriantsimitovizafinitrimo.
Andriambelomasina was also the grandfather of the great Merina King, Andrianampoinimerina. Believing that the part of the Kingdom of Imerina he ruled was threatened, Andriambelomasina had the strategic idea to marry his daughter Ranavalonanadriambelomasina to the King Andriamiaramanjaka of Ikaloy and Anjafy, a Zafimamy/Alahamadintany Kingdom north of Ambohimanga. The son born of this union, Andrianampoinimerina, would go on to reunify Imerina during his reign and extend his rule beyond the highlands of Madagascar, thereby establishing the basis for the unification of the entire island of Madagascar—an aim pursued and almost completely achieved by Andrianampoinimerina's son Radama I (1810–1831).
Andriambelomasina died in 1770 at Ambohimanga and was laid to rest in the family tomb inside a coffin made from a hollowed-out tree trunk, in the tradition of the nobles of Imerina at the time.