Imerina

Quick Facts: Who was Imerina?

Subject:

Imerina

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A powerful pre-colonial kingdom that dominated Madagascar from the 16th to the late 19th century.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The 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. It spread outward from Imerina, the Central Highlands region primarily inhabited by the Merina ethnic group with a spiritual capital at Ambohimanga and a political capital 24 km (15 mi) west at Antananarivo, currently the seat of government for the modern state of Madagascar. The Merina kings and queens who ruled over greater Madagascar in the 19th century were the descendants of a long line of hereditary Merina royalty originating with Andriamanelo, who is traditionally credited with founding Imerina in 1540. In 1883, France invaded the Merina Kingdom to establish a protectorate. France invaded again in 1894 and conquered the kingdom, making it a French colony, in what became known as the Franco-Hova Wars.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

For almost its entire existence, the kingdom of Madagascar was de facto governed by the Hovabe of the Tsimiamboholahy clan of Andafiavaratra, direct descendants of the last great Vazimba kings of Ialamanga (present-day Antananarivo), where they reigned for several centuries and whose military and economic power enabled Andrianampoinimerina and Radama I to conquer part of the island. The clan chiefs of the Tsimiamboholahy of Andafiavaratra held, from father to son, the simultaneous roles of commander-in-chief, head of government, co-sovereign, and kingmaker, by designating women with increasingly diluted Andriana blood as 'queen' and marrying them. Madagascar's central highlands were first inhabited between 200 BC–300 AD by the island's earliest settlers, the Vazimba, who appear to have arrived by pirogue from southeastern Borneo to establish simple villages in the island's dense forests. By the 15th century the Hova people from the southeastern coast had gradually migrated into the central highlands where they established hilltop villages interspersed among the existing Vazimba settlements, which were ruled by local kings and queens. The two peoples coexisted peacefully for several generations and are known to have intermarried.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In this way, a reigning Vazimba queen (alternately given in the oral histories as Rafohy or Rangita) married a Hova man named Manelobe. Their oldest son, Andriamanelo (r. 1540–1575), broke this tradition by launching a largely successful war to subjugate the surrounding Vazimba communities and force them to either submit to Hova dominance and assimilate, or flee. Andriamanelo was succeeded by his son Ralambo (r. 1575–1612), whose many enduring and significant political and cultural achievements earned him a heroic and near mythical status among the greatest ancient sovereigns of Merina history.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1540: 1540 Milestone — 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.
2. 1575: 1575 Milestone — 1575–1612), whose many enduring and significant political and cultural achievements earned him a heroic and near mythical status among the greatest ancient sovereigns of Merina history.
3. 1883: 1883 Milestone — In 1883, France invaded the Merina Kingdom to establish a protectorate.
4. 1894: 1894 Milestone — France invaded again in 1894 and conquered the kingdom, making it a French colony, in what became known as the Franco-Hova Wars.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Imerina

True or False: “The initial settlement of the central highlands by the Vazimba people occurred after the Hova people arrived in the 15th century.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The Vazimba were the earliest settlers, inhabiting the central highlands between 200 BC and 300 AD, preceding the migration of the Hova people from the southeastern coast.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Barbara Flaminia — Historical peer (Born in 1540) (1540): Pioneering Italian stage actress, famed for her rivalry and international tours.
• Alphonse Daudet — Historical peer (Died in 1897) (1897): French novelist celebrated for his evocative short stories and novels.
• Amelia Earhart — Historical peer (Born in 1897) (1897): Iconic American aviator whose pioneering flights shaped early 20th-century aviation.
• A. S. Neill — Historical peer (Born in 1883) (1883): Scottish progressive educator, founder of Summerhill, championing self-governance.
• Abdelkader El Djezairi — Historical peer (Died in 1883) (1883): Algerian religious leader who spearheaded the resistance against French colonization (1831–1847).
• Adolphe Sax — Historical peer (Died in 1894) (1894): Belgian inventor who created the saxophone and revolutionized wind instruments.
• Albert Facey — Historical peer (Born in 1894) (1894): Australian writer and World War I veteran, best known for 'A Fortunate Life'.
• Akiyama Nobutomo — Historical peer (Died in 1575) (1575): A prominent samurai of the Sengoku period, known for his service to the Takeda clan.
• Baba Nobufusa — Historical peer (Died in 1575) (1575): A prominent samurai of the Sengoku period, known for his service to the Takeda clan.

Frequently Asked Questions about Imerina