The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-17


The Hovas exercise no authority south
of their fort at Mama, and many tribes are
practically and some absolutely Independent.
The two great divisions of the people are
black and olive, the former occupying the
western slope of the island, and the latter the
eastern. The olive race is distinguished by a
light, xquisitely-formed person, fair COM
plexion, and straight or curling hair, while
the black race is of more robust form, and has
woolly hair. The Hovas, the dominant tribe
are of the olive division. The Hovas, having
adopted Christianity under the lead of Queen
Rasoherina II, abandoned many OF their
heather customs and superstitions
which, however, still have a footing
in many parts of the island. Among these
ly those born on days or at hours pronounced
unlucky, and polygamy which is limited
only by the restriction of all except the king
to twelve wives, and with it an almost unlim-
tied liberty of divorce on the part of the hus-
band. Slavery was introduced into NADIA
gascar at very early period, and still exists,
although nominally abolished.
The Madagascans are generally remarkably
hospitable, Whenever a stranger enters a
village, a present is brought him of whatever
refreshment the place affords If he ap-
proaches house he is cordially invited to
enter and is treated with the utmost atten-
ton and civilIty.
Vegetables of all kinds are abundant.
Locusts, of which large swarms appear in
article of food. They are gathered in baskets
by women and children, and after the legs
and wings have been picked off they are par
TALLY boiled and then dried in the sun. The
silkworm, also, in its chrysalis state, is cooked
and eaten in some provinces. But the most
general article of support is rice, which is
native to the island - In 1872 several parties
of English subjects began to plant cotton in
the south part of the island, having brought
seed from the Feejee Islands. They en-
ployed Madras coolies as labor in NADIA
gascar cannot be relied on. Parties from
Mauritus have planted sugaf-cane and built
mills for making sugar; but the crop is ex-
ported to Mauritius for refining. Coffee is
also raised by foreigners in many parts of
the island with good success. The govern
ment fosters all such enterprises, and makes
free grants of land for cultivation to any ex-
tent desired.
The houses of the better class are built of
wood and so well put together that they are
perfectly firm, although joined without nails.
They are oblong, invariably placed north
and SOUTH with the door to the west. They
often have verandas, but no chimneys,
though the climate of the highlands is often
cold enough for fires in the evening. The
poorer dwellings are built of bamboo, rushes
or clay, and are colored pink or yellow. ~
Foreign commerce has long been carried
on with the Arabs from Muscat and Zanzi-
bar, and with traders from the west coast of
India, who bring raw silk, cotton cloth, gun
powder, trnkets and other articles to the
northwest ports, particularly to Majunga, in
the Bay of Bembatooka. American vessels
going up the Mozambique channel, or from
Tamatave to Zanzibar, usually stop there to
exchange cotton sheetings, hardware, furni-
lure, gunpowder, and firearms, for rice, hides,
ebony, beeswax and gum copal. The cont
merce of the east coast is mostly at Tama-
tave, where United States consular agent is
accredited. The trade in India rubber began
in 1S69'70, and in 1872 the export from Tama-
tave alone amounted to 449, sol pounds.
The first effort to Christianize the island
was made in 1918, the London Missionary
Society sending a number of missionaries,
accompanied by artisans to instruct the
people. The native language was
reduced to writing, grammar
prepared, and the Bible translated
and printed. In the course of ten years
about $4,000 of the natives had learned to
read, and large number were converted to
met many reyerses as the throne was
assembled by new rulers and at times native
Christians suffered persecution and death on
account of their faith. But several of the SOW
ereigns successfully embraced the Christian
faith, and under their protection Christianity
greatly fourished. At present the fu-
ture of the island and its people is brighter
than ever before. A Christian Queen is ON
the throne. Madagascar is to all intents
Christian government and disposition is
manifest to adopt all the customs of the
highest civilization. The commerce of the
island is constantly growing more valuable,
and is attracting the attention of the western
world. The attempt of France to obtain TO
frnd Of hn fon Arl1l