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The Merina were probably the early arrivals, though this is uncertain and other ethnic groups on Madagascar consider them relative newcomers to the island. [12] The Merina people's culture likely mixed and merged with the Madagascar natives named Vazimba about whom little is known. [13]
Government flags used from 1810 to 1885. The Kingdom of Merina, also known as the Kingdom of Madagascar and officially the Kingdom of Imerina (Malagasy: Fanjakan'Imerina; c. 1540 –1897), was a pre-colonial state off the coast of Southeast Africa that, by the 18th century, dominated most of what is now Madagascar.
Below is a list of the line of Merina monarchs that ruled in the Central Highlands of Madagascar and from whom were issued the first true monarchs of a united Madagascar in the 19th century. Before the uniting of Madagascar, succession was based on the current monarch's designation of an heir, typically from among his or her own children.
The Merina are further divided into two subgroups. The “Merina A” are the Hova and Andriana, and have an average of 30–50% Bantu ancestry. The second subgroup is the “Merina B”, the Andevo, who have an average of 40–60% Bantu ancestry. The latter make up less than 2/3 of Merina society. [2]
Twelve is a sacred number in Merina cosmology and it is commonly said that Andrianampoinimerina had twelve wives and installed one on each of the twelve sacred hills throughout his kingdom. [1] In reality, he had more than twelve wives, and there are more than twelve hills surrounding Antananarivo that claim sacred status. [2]
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Ralambo was also the first to use the term Imerina (land of the Merina) to describe the land occupied by the Hova people, who thereafter gradually adopted the identity and label of Merina. [4] The warriors and soldiers of the Merina society were traditionally selected from the Andriana caste, or from the nobles.
The Franco-Hova Wars, also known as the Franco-Malagasy Wars, were two French military interventions in Madagascar between 1883 and 1896 that overthrew the ruling monarchy of the Merina Kingdom, and resulted in Madagascar becoming a French colony. The term "Hova" referred to a social class within the Merina class structure.