Andriandravindravina
Encyclopedia
According to some versions of the genealogy of the Merina
people of the central Highlands of Madagascar
, Andriandravindravina is the name of the first sovereign of the Highlands. He was not Merina
but rather a vazimba
, the mysterious first inhabitants of Madagascar that successive waves of settlers encountered upon arrival there. The Tantara ny andriana eto Madagascar, the famed genealogy of the Merina aristocracy, states that Andriandravindravina ("Prince of the Leaves", an allusion to the eastern forests he would have needed to traverse to reach the central plateau) ruled over Ambohitsitakatra in northern Imerina where he was reportedly buried. His three sons were:
As the first sovereign of the Highlands, Andriandravindravina would represent an ancestor of Queens Rangita
and Rafohy
, themselves antecedents of King Andriamanelo
, commonly viewed as the originator of the Merina royal dynasty in Imerina. As such, this Malagasy origin myth can either complement or compete with the genealogy that traces the origins of the Merina aristocracy back to the god-king Andrianerinerina
.
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...
people of the central Highlands of Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
, Andriandravindravina is the name of the first sovereign of the Highlands. He was not 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...
but rather a 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...
, the mysterious first inhabitants of Madagascar that successive waves of settlers encountered upon arrival there. The Tantara ny andriana eto Madagascar, the famed genealogy of the Merina aristocracy, states that Andriandravindravina ("Prince of the Leaves", an allusion to the eastern forests he would have needed to traverse to reach the central plateau) ruled over Ambohitsitakatra in northern Imerina where he was reportedly buried. His three sons were:
- Andrianoranorana ("Prince of Constant Rain"), the oldest, who settled on the seaside at Maroantsetra.
- Andriamanjavona, who settled at Angavo, where he married the goddess Andriambavirano ("Princess of the Water," who is said to have drifted down from the heavens into the lake at the summit of Angavo incarnated as a fragrant leaf).
- Andriananjavonana, who settled at Anandribe, west of Angavo.
As the first sovereign of the Highlands, Andriandravindravina would represent an ancestor of Queens Rangita
Rangita
Queen Rangita , also known as Rangitamanjakatrimovavy, was a Vazimba sovereign who ruled at Merimanjaka in the central highlands of Madagascar after her father, King Andrianmpandramanenitra . She was succeeded upon her death by her daughter , Queen Rafohy...
and 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...
, themselves antecedents of 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...
, commonly viewed as the originator of the Merina royal dynasty in Imerina. As such, this Malagasy origin myth can either complement or compete with the genealogy that traces the origins of the Merina aristocracy back to the god-king Andrianerinerina
Andrianerinerina
According to one of several competing origin myths of the Merina people of Imerina in the central Highlands of Madagascar, Andrianerinerina is the incarnation of the son of God from which the line of Merina rulers is said to have descended....
.