Andrianampoinimerina
Encyclopedia
Ruling between 1787–1810, Andrianampoinimerina (Andriana
-Nampoin'-Imerina , "The-King-Wished-by-Imerina"), born Ramboasalama or Ramboasalamarazaka at Ambohimanga
around 1745 (later, also known as Nampoina, Imboasalama, and Ny Ombalehibemaso - The Big-Eyed Bull), initiated the unification of Madagascar
under Merina
rule and is considered one of the greatest military and political leaders in Malagasy
history.
Andrianampoinimerina deposed his uncle, King Andrianjafy
(1770–1787) of Imerina Avarandrano (Northern Imerina), one of four continually warring principalities that emerged upon the division of the historically unified Imerina kingdom by King Andriamasinavalona
a century before. Andrianampoinimerina established his capital at the fortified town of Ambohimanga
, a site of great spiritual, cultural and political significance that was designated a UNESCO
World Heritage Site
in 2001 and where the king's original royal lodgings can still be visited today. From this position, he progressively extended his domain first over all Imerina, then over the greater Highlands, absorbing the Betsileo
, Sihanaka
, Bezanozano
and Bara
territories. He died after reigning for 23 years.
His reign formed the basis for the unification of Madagascar, which was almost achieved under his son Radama I.
customs of the time, his parents temporarily gave him the humble name Ramboasalama (Ra-amboa-salama, "The-dog-healthy") to protect him from attracting the undesirable attention of jealous rivals or evil spirits, before being changed in childhood to Ramboasalamarazaka. He grew up during a period when great strife and poverty were afflicting Imerina.
His mother, Ranavalonandriambelomasina, was sister to Andrianjafy
(1770–1787), King of northern Imerina, making him a Merina Prince.
In response to the threat of invasions by the Sakalava
to the West and the Alahamadintany-Zafimamy alliance to the North, Andrianampoinimerina's grandfather Andriambelomasina
concluded a strategic alliance
with the bordering Alahamadintany- Zafimamy principality of Ikaloy by marrying his daughter, Ranavalonandriambelomasina, to King Andriamiaramanjaka of Ikaloy and Anjafy. This deal stipulated, notably, that after the reign of Andriambelomasina's son, Andrianjafy
, the throne of Ambohimanga
would be given to one of his daughter's sons. For the people of Ambohimanga, this alliance seemed to fulfill a famous prophecy attributed to King Andriamasinavalona
who said: "One day, Imerina will be unified and ruled by a light-skinned man from Alahamadintany". Andriamasinavalona's prophecy suggest that the Merina Kings had long intended to extend their kingdom to the North by absorbing the great and menacing Zafimamy Kingdom of Alahamadintany. At the same time, the Zafimamy Kings of Alahamadintany had also wished to extend their land to the South by absorbing the Merina Kingdom. Thus, the wedding of Andrianampoinimerina's parents represented a fair and peaceful compromise for both parties: the Prince born of this union would at last rule over both states and unify these two great kingdoms without bloodshed.
Andrianampoinimerina's Zafimamy ancestors practiced endogamy
and therefore rarely mixed with the descendants of the legendary first inhabitants of Madagascar, the Vazimba
. However, he is known to have had partial vazimba ancestry on his mother's side through her antecedent, King Andriamanelo
(1540–1575), son of vazimba Queen Rafohy
(1530–1540) and her Merina husband Manelo.
, astronomy
and the Arabic-based sorabe
script, as well as Malagasy mythology such as the myth of Ibonia
, an origin myth that communicates the Malay-Javanese concept of Andriambahoaka afovoanitany ("A King must be at the center of his territory").
In addition, he most likely studied medicine, military strategy (including the traditional strategic boardgame of fanorona
), weaponry, basic economics and music - perhaps learning to play the valiha
, a bamboo tube zither then reserved for Merina and Zafimamy princes and noblemen). After concluding this Zafimamy education at the age of 12, his Merina grandfather, King Andriambelomasina
, oversaw his Merina education at Amboatany and later at court in Ambohimanga
, where he learned political leadership (including the Merina oratory art of hain-teny and particularly kabary) and continued his studies in military strategy and economics.
, Andrianampoinimerina managed, by intelligence and hard work, to amass a sizable property, including rice fields and herds of zebu
. Thus, by the age of 30, he had become one of the richest princes of Ambohimanga
. Regarded as a "self-made man" who didn't rely on his privileges as a prince, his independence, temper, tenacity and sense of justice made him very popular among the commoners and the slaves of Ambohimanga. His popularity stood in contrast to popular dissatisfaction with his uncle, King Andrianjafy
, who was seen as an irresponsible ruler.
(1575–1600) to King Andriamasinavalona
(1675–1710), the part of the Highlands controlled by the Merina
had developed, witnessed economic growth, and enjoyed a certain civil peace. However, the unity of Imerina collapsed after Andriamasinavalona divided Imerina amongst his four favorite sons, leading to frequent wars that weakened the ability of subsequent princes to respond effectively to the pressures of slave trading and a growing population.
, with the help of the commoners' Council of Elders and those sold into slavery. After the success of the coup, which compelled Andrianjafy to flee, the new King adopted his ruling name, Andrianampoinimerina.
Following his ouster from the town of Ambohimanga, Andrianjafy continued fighting his nephew from his southern headquarters Ilafy. Andrianampoinimerina reached a treaty with the rival Merina town of Antananarivo
in 1786, which allowed him to fully concentrate on reuniting Imerina. The conflict between Andrianampoinimerina and Andrianjafy finally ended in 1790 when the former King was either killed in Ilafy or died in exile in Antananarivo. Andrianampoinimerina conquered Antananarivo in 1792, and subsequently, he moved the capital of the Merina empire there; however, Ambohimanga remains among the most important spiritual and cultural sites in Madagascar.
. He soon proclaimed his ambition to become the sole King of Madagascar, using the Merina hain-teny metaphoric style to announce to the people of Ambohimanga: "The sea is the limit of my ricefield" (Ny ranomasina no valam-parihiko). Andrianampoinimerina centralized power into his own hands and amassed European firearms. This allowed him to gradually conquer neighboring Merina principalities before moving on to those of the Vakinankaratra and Betsileo
.
kingdom, the western clan who had continuously disrupted life the Malagasy central highlands by slave hunting.
The gradual conquest of surrounding lands by Andrianampoinimerina and his Merina army was opposed by the Sakalava
and other clans, who made several attempt to end Andrianampoinimerina's reign. He also faced opposition from certain Merina nobles and from his own family. Early in Andrianampoinimerina's rule, an attempt on King's life by his uncle, the deposed King Andrianjafy
, was foiled by an informant who had learned about the conspiracy by chance. Later the king rewarded the informant by marrying his daughter to the Crown Prince, future King Radama I
. After Radama I's death in 1828, this royal wife would rule Madagascar for 33 years as Queen Ranavalona I
.
Ramavolahy, Andrianampoinimerina's eldest son, was killed on his orders near Imahazoarivo after an attempted coup, and the appointed Heir Apparent Rakotovahiny was killed for conspiracy against the King in May 1808.
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...
-Nampoin'-Imerina , "The-King-Wished-by-Imerina"), born Ramboasalama or Ramboasalamarazaka 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...
around 1745 (later, also known as Nampoina, Imboasalama, and Ny Ombalehibemaso - The Big-Eyed Bull), initiated the unification of Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
under 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...
rule and is considered one of the greatest military and political leaders in Malagasy
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
history.
Andrianampoinimerina deposed his uncle, King Andrianjafy
Andrianjafy
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....
(1770–1787) of Imerina Avarandrano (Northern Imerina), one of four continually warring principalities that emerged upon the division of the historically unified Imerina kingdom by King Andriamasinavalona
Andriamasinavalona
King Andriamasinavalona , also known as Andrianjakanavalondambo, was a King of Imerina in the central part of the highlands of Madagascar.-Early life:...
a century before. Andrianampoinimerina established his capital at the fortified town 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...
, a site of great spiritual, cultural and political significance that was designated a UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
in 2001 and where the king's original royal lodgings can still be visited today. From this position, he progressively extended his domain first over all Imerina, then over the greater Highlands, absorbing the Betsileo
Betsileo
The Betsileo are a highland ethnic group of Madagascar, the third largest in terms of population, numbering around 1.5 million and making up about 12.1 percent of the population. Their name means "The Many Invincible Ones" which they chose for themselves after the failed invasion of Ramitraho...
, Sihanaka
Sihanaka
The Sihanaka are an ethnic group in Madagascar concentrated around Lake Alaotra and the town of Ambatondrazaka. Their name means the "people of the swamps" in reference to the marshlands around Lake Alaotra that they inhabit...
, Bezanozano
Bezanozano
The Bezanozano are believed to be one of the earliest Malagasy ethnic groups to establish themselves in Madagascar, where they inhabit an inland area between the Betsimisaraka lowlands and the Merina highlands...
and Bara
Bâra
Bâra is a commune in Neamţ County, Romania. It is composed of three villages: Bâra, Negreşti and Rediu.-References:...
territories. He died after reigning for 23 years.
His reign formed the basis for the unification of Madagascar, which was almost achieved under his son Radama I.
Birth
Andrianampoinimerina was born in Ikaloy, in Imerina Avaradrano, during the first quarter of the moon (tsinambolana) of the month Alahamady, the sign of a royal birth according to popular belief. Following the MerinaMerina
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...
customs of the time, his parents temporarily gave him the humble name Ramboasalama (Ra-amboa-salama, "The-dog-healthy") to protect him from attracting the undesirable attention of jealous rivals or evil spirits, before being changed in childhood to Ramboasalamarazaka. He grew up during a period when great strife and poverty were afflicting Imerina.
Family and lineage
Andrianampoinimerina was descended from two royal lines. He was the third son of Andriamiaramanjaka, the King of Ikaloy and Anjafy in Imerina and a Zafimamy Prince of Alahamadintany, a Highlands kingdom that had retained political and cultural independence from Imerina.His mother, Ranavalonandriambelomasina, was sister to Andrianjafy
Andrianjafy
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....
(1770–1787), King of northern Imerina, making him a Merina Prince.
In response to the threat of invasions by the Sakalava
Sakalava
The Sakalava are an ethnic group of Madagascar numbering approximately 700,000 in population. Their name means "people of the long valleys." They occupy the Western edge of the island from Toliara in the south to Sambirano in the north. The Sakalava denominate a number of smaller ethnic groups...
to the West and the Alahamadintany-Zafimamy alliance to the North, Andrianampoinimerina's grandfather Andriambelomasina
Andriambelomasina
Andriambelomasina , born Rakotomavo , also known as Andriana-velona-masina and Andriamaheritsialainolotany was a Merina King of Imerina Avaradrano, the northern part of the central highlands of Madagascar...
concluded a strategic alliance
Alliance
An alliance is an agreement or friendship between two or more parties, made in order to advance common goals and to secure common interests.See also military alliance and business alliance.-International relations:...
with the bordering Alahamadintany- Zafimamy principality of Ikaloy by marrying his daughter, Ranavalonandriambelomasina, to King Andriamiaramanjaka of Ikaloy and Anjafy. This deal stipulated, notably, that after the reign of Andriambelomasina's son, Andrianjafy
Andrianjafy
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....
, 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...
would be given to one of his daughter's sons. For the people of Ambohimanga, this alliance seemed to fulfill a famous prophecy attributed to King Andriamasinavalona
Andriamasinavalona
King Andriamasinavalona , also known as Andrianjakanavalondambo, was a King of Imerina in the central part of the highlands of Madagascar.-Early life:...
who said: "One day, Imerina will be unified and ruled by a light-skinned man from Alahamadintany". Andriamasinavalona's prophecy suggest that the Merina Kings had long intended to extend their kingdom to the North by absorbing the great and menacing Zafimamy Kingdom of Alahamadintany. At the same time, the Zafimamy Kings of Alahamadintany had also wished to extend their land to the South by absorbing the Merina Kingdom. Thus, the wedding of Andrianampoinimerina's parents represented a fair and peaceful compromise for both parties: the Prince born of this union would at last rule over both states and unify these two great kingdoms without bloodshed.
Andrianampoinimerina's Zafimamy ancestors practiced endogamy
Endogamy
Endogamy is the practice of marrying within a specific ethnic group, class, or social group, rejecting others on such basis as being unsuitable for marriage or other close personal relationships. A Greek Orthodox Christian endogamist, for example, would require that a marriage be only with another...
and therefore rarely mixed with the descendants of the legendary first inhabitants of Madagascar, the Vazimba
Vazimba
The Vazimba , according to popular belief, were the first inhabitants of Madagascar. While beliefs about the physical appearance of the Vazimba reflect regional variation, they are generally described as smaller in stature than the average person, leading some scientists to speculate that they may...
. However, he is known to have had partial vazimba ancestry on his mother's side through her antecedent, King Andriamanelo
Andriamanelo
Andriamanelo was King of Alasora in the central highlands region of Madagascar. He is generally considered by historians to be the founder of the Kingdom of Imerina and originator of the Merina royal line that, by the 19th century, had extended its rule over virtually all of Madagascar...
(1540–1575), son of vazimba Queen Rafohy
Rafohy
Queen Rafohy was a Vazimba queen who ruled at Alasora in the central Highlands of Madagascar until her death. Her name means "The Short One." She succeeded upon the death of Vazimba Queen Rangita, who by different accounts was either her mother or her adoptive sister...
(1530–1540) and her Merina husband Manelo.
Childhood and education
Andrianampoinimerina spent his early childhood in his father's Zafimamy court at Ikaloy. There, he received a Zafimamy education and culture, which probably included Indonesian, Indo-Aryan and Arabic forms of knowledge, including cosmologyCosmology
Cosmology is the discipline that deals with the nature of the Universe as a whole. Cosmologists seek to understand the origin, evolution, structure, and ultimate fate of the Universe at large, as well as the natural laws that keep it in order...
, astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
and the Arabic-based sorabe
Sorabe
Sorabe, or Sora-be, is an alphabet based on Arabic used to transcribe the Malagasy language and the Antemoro Malagasy dialect in particular dating from the 15th century ....
script, as well as Malagasy mythology such as the myth of Ibonia
Ibonia
The Ibonia is an epic poem that has been told in various forms across the island of Madagascar for at least several hundred years. The Ibonia predates the introduction of the printing press in Madagascar in the early part of the 19th century and as such has long been part of the poetic and...
, an origin myth that communicates the Malay-Javanese concept of Andriambahoaka afovoanitany ("A King must be at the center of his territory").
In addition, he most likely studied medicine, military strategy (including the traditional strategic boardgame of fanorona
Fanorona
Fanorona is an abstract strategy board game indigenous to Madagascar.-Introduction:Fanorona has three standard versions: Fanoron-Telo, Fanoron-Dimy, and Fanoron-Tsivy. The difference between these variants is the size of board played on. Fanoron-Telo is played on a 3×3 board and the difficulty of...
), weaponry, basic economics and music - perhaps learning to play the valiha
Valiha
The valiha is a tube zither from Madagascar made from a species of local bamboo. It is played by plucking the strings, which may be made of metal or the bamboo skin which is pried up in long strands and propped up by small bridges made of pieces of dried gourd...
, a bamboo tube zither then reserved for Merina and Zafimamy princes and noblemen). After concluding this Zafimamy education at the age of 12, his Merina grandfather, King Andriambelomasina
Andriambelomasina
Andriambelomasina , born Rakotomavo , also known as Andriana-velona-masina and Andriamaheritsialainolotany was a Merina King of Imerina Avaradrano, the northern part of the central highlands of Madagascar...
, oversaw his Merina education at Amboatany and later at court in 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...
, where he learned political leadership (including the Merina oratory art of hain-teny and particularly kabary) and continued his studies in military strategy and economics.
Beginnings as a "Self-Made Prince"
Starting with the meager proceeds of his own businessBusiness
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
, Andrianampoinimerina managed, by intelligence and hard work, to amass a sizable property, including rice fields and herds of zebu
Zebu
Zebu , sometimes known as humped cattle, indicus cattle, Cebu or Brahmin cattle are a type of domestic cattle originating in South Asia, particularly the Indian subcontinent. They are characterised by a fatty hump on their shoulders, drooping ears and a large dewlap...
. Thus, by the age of 30, he had become one of the richest princes 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...
. Regarded as a "self-made man" who didn't rely on his privileges as a prince, his independence, temper, tenacity and sense of justice made him very popular among the commoners and the slaves of Ambohimanga. His popularity stood in contrast to popular dissatisfaction with his uncle, King Andrianjafy
Andrianjafy
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....
, who was seen as an irresponsible ruler.
Historical context
For almost a century, from the end of the reign of King RalamboRalambo
Ralambo was the ruler of the Kingdom of Imerina in the central Highlands region of Madagascar from 1575 to 1612. Ruling from Ambohidrabiby, Ralambo expanded the realm of his father, Andriamanelo, and was the first to assign the name of Imerina to the region...
(1575–1600) to King Andriamasinavalona
Andriamasinavalona
King Andriamasinavalona , also known as Andrianjakanavalondambo, was a King of Imerina in the central part of the highlands of Madagascar.-Early life:...
(1675–1710), the part of the Highlands controlled by the 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...
had developed, witnessed economic growth, and enjoyed a certain civil peace. However, the unity of Imerina collapsed after Andriamasinavalona divided Imerina amongst his four favorite sons, leading to frequent wars that weakened the ability of subsequent princes to respond effectively to the pressures of slave trading and a growing population.
Coup against King Andrianjafy
In 1787, at 42 years old, Andrianampoinimerina incited a rebellion against 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....
, with the help of the commoners' Council of Elders and those sold into slavery. After the success of the coup, which compelled Andrianjafy to flee, the new King adopted his ruling name, Andrianampoinimerina.
Following his ouster from the town of Ambohimanga, Andrianjafy continued fighting his nephew from his southern headquarters Ilafy. Andrianampoinimerina reached a treaty with the rival Merina town of Antananarivo
Antananarivo
Antananarivo , formerly Tananarive , is the capital and largest city in Madagascar. It is also known by its French colonial shorthand form Tana....
in 1786, which allowed him to fully concentrate on reuniting Imerina. The conflict between Andrianampoinimerina and Andrianjafy finally ended in 1790 when the former King was either killed in Ilafy or died in exile in Antananarivo. Andrianampoinimerina conquered Antananarivo in 1792, and subsequently, he moved the capital of the Merina empire there; however, Ambohimanga remains among the most important spiritual and cultural sites in Madagascar.
Reunification of Imerina
Continuing his conquests in the 1790s, Andrianampoinimerina began establishing control over a comparatively large part of the highlands of Madagascar including the twelve sacred hills of ImerinaTwelve sacred hills of Imerina
The twelve sacred hills of Imerina are hills of historical significance to the Merina people of Madagascar. Located throughout Imerina, the central area of the highlands of Madagascar, the sites were often ancient capitals, the birthplaces of key public figures, or housed the tombs of esteemed...
. He soon proclaimed his ambition to become the sole King of Madagascar, using the Merina hain-teny metaphoric style to announce to the people of Ambohimanga: "The sea is the limit of my ricefield" (Ny ranomasina no valam-parihiko). Andrianampoinimerina centralized power into his own hands and amassed European firearms. This allowed him to gradually conquer neighboring Merina principalities before moving on to those of the Vakinankaratra and Betsileo
Betsileo
The Betsileo are a highland ethnic group of Madagascar, the third largest in terms of population, numbering around 1.5 million and making up about 12.1 percent of the population. Their name means "The Many Invincible Ones" which they chose for themselves after the failed invasion of Ramitraho...
.
Territorial expansion
It is notable that Andrianampoinimerina achieved many of his victories by relying heavily on shrewd diplomacy and alliance treaties, only resorting to military conquest when it was essential and unavoidable. He liked to remind his officers of one of his favorite principles: "Force is weaker than the spirit" (Ny hery tsy mahaleo ny fanahy). The extension of his rule allowed Andrianampoinimerina to stop paying tribute to the SakalavaSakalava
The Sakalava are an ethnic group of Madagascar numbering approximately 700,000 in population. Their name means "people of the long valleys." They occupy the Western edge of the island from Toliara in the south to Sambirano in the north. The Sakalava denominate a number of smaller ethnic groups...
kingdom, the western clan who had continuously disrupted life the Malagasy central highlands by slave hunting.
The gradual conquest of surrounding lands by Andrianampoinimerina and his Merina army was opposed by the Sakalava
Sakalava
The Sakalava are an ethnic group of Madagascar numbering approximately 700,000 in population. Their name means "people of the long valleys." They occupy the Western edge of the island from Toliara in the south to Sambirano in the north. The Sakalava denominate a number of smaller ethnic groups...
and other clans, who made several attempt to end Andrianampoinimerina's reign. He also faced opposition from certain Merina nobles and from his own family. Early in Andrianampoinimerina's rule, an attempt on King's life by his uncle, the deposed King Andrianjafy
Andrianjafy
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....
, was foiled by an informant who had learned about the conspiracy by chance. Later the king rewarded the informant by marrying his daughter to the Crown Prince, future King Radama I
Radama I of Madagascar
Radama I "the Great" , the first king of greater Madagascar from 1810 to 1828, united two-thirds of the island under his rule. He had twelve Great Wives, one of them his adopted sister Ranavalona I who would emerge victorious in the struggle for succession after his premature death.-Reign:In 1810,...
. After Radama I's death in 1828, this royal wife would rule Madagascar for 33 years as Queen Ranavalona I
Ranavalona I
Ranavalona I , also known as Ranavalo-Manjaka I, was a sovereign of the Kingdom of Madagascar from 1828 to 1861...
.
Ramavolahy, Andrianampoinimerina's eldest son, was killed on his orders near Imahazoarivo after an attempted coup, and the appointed Heir Apparent Rakotovahiny was killed for conspiracy against the King in May 1808.
Management of the kingdom
Andrianampoinimerina was the first Merina King to establish formal civil and penal codes, the latter ameliorated and transcribed by his son Radama I. He distributed land according to a rigorous land code, established a fiscal code and collected various taxes such as the hetra a portion of the rice crop that citizens were required to pay to the Sovereign. Andrianampoinimerina regulated commerce and the economy by creating official markets (tsena) and standardizing market scales (fandanjana) and other units of measurement (including length and volume). Additionally, the use of money (vola) was standardized and regularized. Finally, he established a citizen army called the Foloalindahy (the "100,000 soldiers"). One of the well-known slogans of Andrianampoinimerina was "Starvation is my sole enemy", and in the fight against it Imerina gained a surplus in rice and cattle production during his reign. This surplus allowed the kingdom to consolidate its economic and military supremacies under his successor, Radama I.Death and succession
Andrianampoinimerina died in the Mahitsielafanjaka house on the compound of the Rova of Antananarivo on July 6, 1810 at the age of 65, having fathered eleven sons and thirteen daughters by his many wives. He designated his 17-year-old son Radama I to succeed him upon his death. The king's body was interred in a tomb at Ambohimanga in 1810. In an effort to desacralize the holy city of Ambohimanga, the French colonial authority transferred all the royal remains from their original tombs to those at the Rova of Antananarivo originally built for Radama I and Rasoherina; Andrianampoinimerina's remains were placed within the tomb of his son, Radama.Primary sources
Much of what is known about Andrianampoinimerina comes from Father François Callet's book Tantara ny Andriana ("History of the Nobles"). This collection of oral tradition about the history of the Merina Dynasty was originally written in Malagasy and published between 1878 and 1881. Callet summarized and translated it in French under the title Tantara ny Andriana (Histoire des rois) in 1908. Tantara ny Andriana constitutes the core material for the historians studying the Merina history, and has been commented upon, criticized and challenged ever since by numerous historians from Madagascar, Europe and North America (see for example: Rasamimanana, 1930; Ravelojaona et al., 1937; Ramilison, 1951; Kent, 1970; Délivré, 1974; Berg 1988; and Larson, 2000). The work is complemented by oral traditions of other tribes collected by Malagasy historians.See also
- History of MadagascarHistory of MadagascarThe history of Madagascar is distinguished by the early isolation of the landmass from the ancient supercontinents containing Africa and India, and by the island's late colonization by human settlers arriving in outrigger canoes from the Sunda islands between 200 BC and 500 AD...
- MerinaMerinaThe 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...
- AmbohimangaAmbohimangaThe 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...
- Rova of AntananarivoRova of AntananarivoThe Rova of Antananarivo is a royal palace complex in Madagascar that served as the home of the sovereigns of the Kingdom of Imerina in the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as the rulers of the Kingdom of Madagascar in the 19th century...