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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
FROM COAST TO CAPITAL: NOTES OF A JOURNEY FROM MÀ-
HANÒRO TO ANTANANARIVO
Various routes to interior-Mahanòro-Madagascar travelling-
Filanjana or palanquin-Native bearers-Native villages-Bètsimisàraka
Cemetery-Canoe travelling-Canoe songs-Tropical vegetation-
The Travellers'-tree-Scenery-Native houses and arrangements-A
tiring Sunday's journey-Butterflies and birds-A village congrega-
tion-Forest scenery and luxuriance-Romantic glens and glades—
Uplands and extensive prospects-In Imèrina at last-Over old
haunts in forest-Màntasòa and its workshops-Native bridges-
War preparations-A hearty welcome to the capital.
CHAPTER II.
IMÈRINA THE CENTRAL PROVINCE: ITS PHYSICAL FEATURES AND
VILLAGE LIFE
Recent advances in knowledge of Madagascar geography-Recent
journeys-Tamatave-Mode of travelling-Coast lagoons-Scenery—
Forest and climbing plants-Ankay Plain-Upper forest belt-Imè-
rina or Ankòva "Home of the Hova"-Mountains and prominent
peaks-Bare uplands-Geology and colour of soil-Extinct volcanoes
-Watershed of island-Lakes-Population-Sacred towns-Village
fortifications-Maps of Imèrina—An Imèrina village-Ancient villages
on high hills-Hova houses and arrangements-Ox-fattening pits-
Native tombs-Trees-Hova children and games-Village chapels
and schools.
CHAPTER III.
ANTANANARIVO, THE CAPITAL: ITS PUBLIC BUILDINGS, MEMORIAL
AND OTHER CHURCHES, AND RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE
INSTITUTIONS
PAGE
. I
. 15
34
Scenery around the capital-Its picturesque situation-Rugged streets
and paths-Houses and other buildings-Recent introduction of
bricks-Royal palaces-Fàravòhitra—Ancient gateway-Sacred stones
-Weekly market of Zomà-Amusements-L.M.S. churches and
religious institutions — Ambàtonakànga Church-Other memorial
churches-" Mother churches" and districts-Chapel Royal-Sunday
observance-Colleges and school-buildings—Dispensaries and hos-
pitals-Other missions-Extent of Christian work carried on-Civi-
lising work of L.M.S. mission—Population—Plans of the capital-
Antananarivo the heart of Madagascar.
CHAPTER IV.
THE CHANGING YEAR IN CENTRAL MADAGASCAR: NOTES ON THE
CLIMATES, AGRICULTURE, SOCIAL CUSTOMS of the people,
AND VARIED ASPECTS OF THE MONTUS
The seasons in Madagascar—Their significant names-Prospect from
summit of Antananarivo-The great rice-plain-Springtime: Septem-
ber to October-Rice-planting and rice-fields-First crop-Trees and
foliage-" Burning the Downs "-Birds-Summer: November to Feb-
ruary-Thunderstorms and tropical rains-Effects on roads-Rain-
fall-Hail-Magnificent lightning effects—Malagasy New Year-
Native calendar-Royal bathing-Conspicuous flowers-Aloes and
agaves-Christmas Day observances-Uniformity in length of days-
Native words and phrases for divisions of time-and for natural
phenomena—Effects of heavy rains-Wild flowers of Imèrina—
Autumn: March and April—Rice harvest-Harvest thanksgiving ser-
vices-Mist effects on winter mornings-Spiders' webs-Winter: May
to August-Winter the dry season-Ancient villages and fosses-
Hova tombs-Great markets-Aspects of nightly sky-Epidemics in
cold season-Vegetation.
CHAPTER V.
THE CRATER LAKE OF TRITRÌVA: ITS PHYSICAL FEATURES AND
LEGENDARY HISTORY; AND THE VOLCANIC REGIONS OF THE
INTERIOR
Ancient volcanoes of Central Madagascar-Hot springs-Fossil re-
mains in limestone deposits-Crater lake of Andràikiba-Tritrìva
Lake-Colour of water-Remarkable appearance of lake-View from
crater walls-Mr. Baron on volcanic phenomena-Ankàratra Moun-
tain-Ancient crater-Lava streams-Volcanic rocks-Recent character
of volcanic action.
52
82
CHAPTER VI.
AMBÁTOVÒRY: ONE OF OUR HOLIDAY RESORTS IN MADAGASCAR ;
WITH NATURAL HISTORY AND OTHER NOTES.
The rest-house-Ambònilòha Hill-A deserted village-Ambàtovòry
rock - Woodland paths-Birds-Lizards and chameleons-Grass-
91
hoppers-Protective colouring-Warring colours-Beetles-Ants and
ant-nests-Ball insects-Spiders-Butterflies-King butterfly—Solitary
wasps-Wasp nests-Angàvokély Mountain-Extensive prospect.
CHAPTER VII.
Mixed nomenclature of coast and interior places-Early European
influence-Arab and Portuguese names-Influence of fùdy or taboo
-Name of Madagascar-Mountain names-The name-prefixes An-
and Am--Height and prominence-Mystery and dread-Size-Words
meaning rock and stone-Animals and birds-Personal names for
hills-Grandeur of mountain scenery-River names-Descriptive
epithets-Lake names-Town and village names-Dual names-
Names of capital and its divisions-Town names from natural
features-forests-river banks-from animals Personal - Tribal-
Province names-Appendix on Bètsilèo place-names.
CHAPTER VIII.
-
. 109
CURIOUS WORDS AND CUSTOMS CONNECTED WITH CHIEFTAINSHIP
AND ROYALTY AMONG THE MALAGASY; AND NOTES OF THE
SIGN AND GESTURE LANGUAGE
The Bètsilèo-Special words, or "chief's language"-in Malayo-
Polynesian languages-for Malagasy sovereigns-Illness and death
-Burial - Mourning - Diseases-Royal servants-Royal houses-
Chief's words among Bètsilèo-for family of chiefs-for elderly
chiefs-for chiefs old and young-Extreme honour paid to chiefs
-Fady or taboo in words-Tabooed animals-Royal names-Sacred
character of-Veneration for royalty—Sàkalàva chiefs-Posthumous
names-Relics of the sign and gesture language-Salutations-Sym-
bolic acts-Royalty-"Licking the sole "-Kabàrys—The taboo.
CHAPTER IX.
MALAGASY FOLK-LORE AND POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS
Animals-The ox-Birds-Insects-Fabulous animals-Fanàny, or
seven-headed serpent-Footprints of giants-Trees and plants-
Ordeals-Folk-lore of life-Lucky and unlucky actions-Sickness and
death-Witchcraft and charms- Food and fady of the Sihànaka-
Snakes and lemurs-Tabooed days-in clans-and villages-Good
omens-for food-and wealth-Evil omens-as to famine-Trade
Poverty, and death-Weather prognostics-Various portents-
dreams.
149
CHAPTER X.
MALAGASY ORATORY, ORNAMENTS OF SPEECH, SYMBOLIC ACTIONS,
AND CONUNDRUMS
Introductory historical sketch-Folk-lore-Folk-tales-Proverbs-
Kabàry-Oratory and figures of speech-The desolate one-Mutual
love-The bird-A divorced wife-Transitoriness of life-Bereave-
ment-Death-Imagination-Boasting-The crocodile-A place for
everything-Filial love-Friendship-Thanksgiving-Evil speech-
Symbolic acts-The two kings-The heir to the throne-Riddles
and conundrums.
CHAPTER XI.
MALAGASY SONGS, POETRY, CHILDREN'S GAMES, AND MYTHICAL
CREATURES.
191
213
Songs to the sovereign-Dirges-Sihànaka laments-Ballad of
Benandro-Friendship-Children's games-Rasarindra-Soàmiditra
-Sakada—“Leper" game-"Star killing"-New Year's games-
Counting games-Marvellous creatures-Songòmby-Fanàny, or seven-
headed serpent-Tòkandia, or "Singlefoot "-Kinòly-Dòna, or Pily
(serpent)-Làlomèna (Hippopotamus ?)—Angalàpona—Siona.
Bonia-Crocodile and dog-Three sisters and Itrimobé-The members
of the body-The little bird-Rapèto-The lost Son of God-The
five fingers-The earth and the skies-The birds choosing a king-
The lizards-Hawk and hen-Vazìmba-Chameleon and lizard-
Serpent and frog-The rice and sugar-cane-Two rogues—Wild
hog and rat.
CHAPTER XIII.
DIVINATION AMONG THE MALAGASY, TOGETHER WITH NATIVE
IDEAS AS TO FATE AND DESTINY
The Sikidy-Subject investigated by Mr. Dahle-Little organised
idolatry among the Malagasy-Diviners-Divination and fate-Invoca-
tion of the Sikidy-Sixteen figures of the Sikìdy-Sixteen columns of
the Sikidy-Erecting the Sikìdy-Working of the Sikidy-Identical
figures-Unique figures-Combined figures-Miscellaneous Sikidy-
Gun charms-Trade charms-Medicinal charms-Fortunate places
and days-Ati-pako-Fate as told by zodiac and moon-Lucky and
unlucky days—House divinations-Fate as told by the planets-Days
of the week-Decreasing influence of the Sikìdy.
262
CHAPTER XIV.
FUNERAL CEREMONIES AMONG THE MALAGASY
Two great divisions of the people-Idea of impurity in connection
with death-A revolting custom-Funeral feasts-Tankàrana-Their
carved coffins-Analogies to those of Philippine Islanders-Bètsimi-
sàraka―Rànomèna-Tàmbahòaka, Taimòro and Tanòsy-The Fanàno
-Tandroy and Màhafàly-Sàkalàva-The Zòmba, or sacred house-
The Vazimba-Behisotra and Tandròna-Sihànaka-Bezànozàno-
Tanàla-Vorimo-Ikòngo-Hova-Bètsilèo-Bàra-Funeral of Radàma
I.-Enormous wealth put in tomb-Silver coffin.
CHAPTER XV.
DECORATIVE CARVING ON WOOD, ESPECIALLY ON THE BURIAL
MEMORIALS OF THE BÈTSILÈO MALAGASY ; TOGETHER WITH
NOTES ON THE HANDICRAFTS OF THE MALAGASY AND NATIVE
PRODUCTS
Absence of artistic feeling among the Hova-The Bètsilèo-Carved
memorial posts-Various forms of tombs-Character of the carving
Vàto làhy, or memorial stones-Graves of great depths-Carving in
houses-Collection of rubbings-General style of ornamentation-
Symbolic meaning ?—Malagasy handicrafts-Spinning and weaving
-Different kinds of cloth-Straw-work-Bark-cloth-Metal-work-
Pottery-Building-Canoes and boats-Cultivated products of country
-Exports.
CHAPTER XVI.
ODD AND CURIOUS EXPERIENCES OF LIFE IN MADAGASCAR
The comic element everywhere present-First experiences-Native
dress-Borrowed garments-Christmas Day exhibition-Interruptions
to Divine service-A nation of bald-heads-Native houses and their
inmates - Receptions by Hova governors Native feasts - Queer
articles of food-First attempts at speaking Malagasy-"Try a rela-
tive "-Transformations of English names-Biblical names-Odd
names-English mistakes-The "southern" side of his moustache-
Funeral presents-Church decoration-Offertory boxes-Deacon's
duties.
CHAPTER XVII.
286
· 313
335
THE FAUNA AND FLORA OF MADAGASCAR IN CONNECTION WITH
THE PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE ISLAND; WITH NOTICES
OF THE EXTINCT FORMS OF ANIMAL LIFE OF THE COUNTRY. 353
General characteristics of mammalian fauna-Remarkable difference
to that of Africa-An ancient island-Wallace's "Island Life"-Ori-
ental and Australian affinities-Vegetable productions-Botanising in