Rova of AntananarivoThe Rova of Antananarivo (Malagasy: Rovan'i Manjakamiadana) is a royal palace complex (rova) in Madagascar that was the home of the sovereigns of the Kingdom of Imerina in the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as of the rulers of the Kingdom of Madagascar in the 19th century. Located in the central highland city of Antananarivo, the Rova occupies the highest point on Analamanga, formerly the highest of Antananarivo's many hills.
Twelve sacred hills of ImerinaThe 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 the tomb sites of esteemed political or spiritual leaders. The first set of sacred sites was designated by early 17th-century king Andrianjaka.
AntananarivoCapital and largest city of MadagascarCapital city in MadagascarAntananarivo (Malagasy: ; French: Tananarive, pronounced), also known by its colonial shorthand form Tana (pronounced), is the capital and largest city of Madagascar. The administrative area of the city, known as Antananarivo-Renivohitra ("Antananarivo-Mother Hill" or "Antananarivo-Capital"), is the capital of Analamanga region.
ImerinaToday part ofMadagascarThe Kingdom of Imerina (Malagasy: Fanjakan'Imerina; c. 1540–1897), also known as the Kingdom of Madagascar or the Kingdom of Merina, was a pre-colonial state off the coast of Southeast Africa that, by the 18th century, dominated most of what is now Madagascar.
RalamboRalambo 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. Oral history has preserved numerous legends about this king, including several dramatic military victories, contributing to his heroic and near-mythical status among the kings of ancient Imerina.
AndriamaneloAndriamanelo (fl. 1540–1575) 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.AndriantsitakatrandrianaAndriantsitakatrandriana (1613-c. 1650) was the king of Imerina from 1630 to 1650, acceding to the throne upon the death of his father, Andrianjaka. He took two wives: the first, Ravololontsimitovy, gave birth to his first son and successor Andriantsimitoviaminandriandehibe, while his second wife, Rafoloarivo, gave birth to a son named Andriamanjakatokana.
FanoronaFanorona (Malagasy pronunciation:) is a strategyboard game for two players. The game is indigenous to Madagascar. RulesFanorona has three standard versions: Fanoron-Telo, Fanoron-Dimy, and Fanoron-Sivy. The difference between these variants is the size of board. Fanoron-Telo is played on a 3×3 board and the difficulty can be compared to the game of Tic-tac-toe. Fanoron-Dimy is played on a 5×5 board and Fanoron-Sivy is played on a 9×5 board—Sivy being the most popular.
SihanakaThe Sihanaka are a Malagasy ethnic group concentrated around Lake Alaotra and the town of Ambatondrazaka in central northeastern Madagascar. Their name means the "people of the swamps" in reference to the marshlands around Lake Alaotra that they inhabit.
SampyA sampy is an amulet or idol of spiritual and political importance among numerous ethnic groups in Madagascar. Amulets and idols fashioned from assorted natural materials have occupied an important place among many Malagasy communities for centuries. Sampy can be classified into two categories. Those that are meant to bless and protect an entire community by serving as a deity figure, and individual amulets that people wear on their person as protection.
Architecture of MadagascarThe architecture of Madagascar is unique in Africa, bearing strong resemblance to the Maritime Southeast Asian construction norms and methods of Southern Borneo from which the earliest inhabitants of Madagascar, the ancestors of the modern-day Malagasy people, settled on the island almost two thousand years ago.
VazimbaThe Vazimba (Malagasy ), according to popular belief, were the first inhabitants of Madagascar.
RafohyQueen Rafohy (died 1540) was a Vazimba queen who ruled at Alasora in the central Highlands of Madagascar from 1530 until her death in 1540. 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.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.