Travel Tips

Rovan' Ambohimanga: a symbol of Tana as Tana history began here.

In 1610, King Andrianjaka chose Ambohimanga ("blue city") as his place while succeeding to his father, Ralambo, a Merina king who had ruled Ambohidrabiby kingdom. From this place, Andrianjaka conquered Analamanga hill who will be later "Analamasina" then "Antananarivo city".

Note that the most prestigious of the twelve sacred hills that encircle Tana, Ambohimanga, is located 20 km North of Antananarivo. The sacred Ambohimanga was first a regional capital of a county that was donated by Andriamasinavalona to his son Andriatsimitoviaminandriana (17 century).

With the backing of Tsimahafotsy, Andrianampoinimerina, then king of Ambohimanga, accessed to power circa 1777-1785. He united all conquered kingdoms to form Antananarivo (with its 12 sacred hills). Note that this king uttered this famous sentence : "Ny ranomasina no valamparihiko", meaning "The sea is my boarder"... And he began conquering other kingdoms in Madagascar so as to create Madagascar as a state.

A century later, 19 century, whilst kings chose the city of Antananarivo as capital city of Merina kingdom, Ambohimanga became a sacred place with its royal tombs of Andrianampoinimerina and his grand- father. It eventually served as summer palace for queens and kings of Madagascar while Manjakamiadana Palace, that was burnt years ago, became the main palace of Madagascar kingdom.

Afterwards, two reigning queens, Ranavalona I (1828-1861) and Ranavalona II (1868-1882) chose Ambohimanga as their place of repose.

In 1897, general Gallieni had all royal mortal remains moved to Antananarivo. The aim was to disanctify the Palace of Ambohimanga. Since 2000, Ambohimanga Rova is on the list of World Heritage of Humanity.

"The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga consists of a royal city and burial site, and an ensemble of sacred places. It is associated with strong feelings of national identity, and has maintained its spiritual and sacred character both in ritual practice and the popular imagination for the past 500 years. It remains a place of worship to which pilgrims come from Madagascar and elsewhere."
This a description taken from UNESCO website. Rovan' Ambohimanga is classified in UNESCO World Heritage.

Go there to see an enclosure wall (made from clay and eggs, yes, true) that has stood there for centuries.

It was home of many Merina kings, comprehends a pool where took place "royal baths"... a kind of rituals at that time. Its egg and clay enclosure wall has stood around the Rova (: palace in Malagasy) since 1847. I would dedicate a travelogue on this place because it really deserve it as history of Antananarivo (as an entity that gathers ancient smaller kingdoms in the area) began here. Note that King Andrianampoinimerina (: the "King which is dear to Merina people's hearts") was the greatest king we had. He uttered this famous sentence : "Ny ranomasina no valamparihiko", meaning "The sea is my border"... He, as King of Ambohimanga city, first started alliances with all other kingdoms of Merina area. Then, the Merina Kingdom was created and consolidated (enhancements of economy, justice system, rice cultivation, creation of markets...)

Also, neighbouring tribes kept on "kidnapping" Merina persons to sell them as slaves for both foreign merchants and coastal areas' kingdoms. The Merina area risked to be "emptied" soon by the process, he began conquering other kingdoms in Madagascar so as to create a pacified state and stop the kidnapping of Merina persons for slave trading. This project was fully completed by his son, Radama I, who instaured in several cities Merina army headquarters, also to counter foreign attacks (French namely). "Ny ranomasina no valamparihiko", meaning "The sea is my border"...

More pics will come