Ratsimilaho

Infobox Person
name = Ratsimilaho


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birth_date = c. 1694
birth_place = Madagascar
death_date =1750
death_place = Betsimisaraka confederation
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nationality =Malagasy
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education = England
employer =
occupation = King
title = filoha be
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religion =
spouse = Queen Bita
children = Zanahary
parents = Princess Antavaratra Rahena
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Ratsimilaho (c.1694 – 1750) was a ruler of an east coastal region of Madagascar. He is said to be the son of an English pirate and a Malagasy queen, Antavaratra Rahena. [http://www.hsm.mg/en/pirates.htm Sainte Marie Island] ] The region, known as the Betsimisaraka confederation covered 400 hundred miles of coast and this legacy was created by Ratsimilaho. [http://original.britannica.com/eb/topic-492104/Ratsimilaho Ratsimilaho] , Encyclopedia Brittanica, accessed 13 August 2008] The Betsimisaraka make up approximately fifteen percent of the Malagasy people and are the second largest group in Madagascar after the Merina.

Biography

Ratsimilaho was born as a result of the hospitality shown by a Malagasy queen, Antavaratra Rahena, to an English pirate when he arrived to show his accreditation as a privateer. The pirate is said to have adopted the resulting child and taken the boy briefly to England where he had some education. Now "according to most chroniclers", whilst Ratsimilaho had been away there had been a redistribution of power. The tribes to the south under their leader Ramano had captured the territory to the north of Tamatave [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=JLfTY6ijdYwC&pg=PA38&dq=Ratsimilaho&ei=C1qjSOiDFI74jgGClOn7BA&sig=ACfU3U0LfAtQfUBM_QgQdkLBg1hAQbIj_Q Forget Colonialism? Sacrifice and the Art of Memory in Madagascar] , Jennifer Cole, 2001, ISBN 0520228464, accessed 13 August 2008] as they were jealous of the riches arising from the trade with the Europeans.

Ratsimilaho approach initially was to negotiate with Ramano and the Tsikoa clans but this proved impossible. He therefore called a meeting, a "kabary", of the leaders and after much debate he persuaded them to give him the power to lead them in a battle. Ratsimilaho was given the title of "filoha be" and he used this power to create a new state. Driving out the Southern clans and resisting their later attempts at reinvasion he was victorious. The southern tribes were then called "those who wear red mud".

In 1712 Ratsimilato obtained a new treaty and it was at this time that his people took on the title of "Betsimisaraka" meaning "the many who will not be sundered", whilst his descendants were known as the "Zana-Malatas", the "children of the mulattos". He is said to have requested a wife from the people known as "Zafimbolamena" (Grandchildren of Gold) who were part of the "Sakalava" people. The resulting child, a son, was named Zanahary - a name now used in Madagascar to mean a God. [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=unlmyidJNHcC&pg=PA30&dq=%22Zanahary%22+madagascar&ei=5-yjSJz3FYS4iQH8qqD6BA&client=firefox-a&sig=ACfU3U1ssExGy8qg4h-VzONZY27cZzKvBA Recollecting from the Past] , Ron Emoff, ISBN 0819565008, accessed 14 August 2008]

Ramanomanompo was the new name taken by Ratsimilaho meaning "he who is served by many". This important Betsimisaraka federation lasted principally until 1750/51, ending either because of the death of the "filoha be" or because of internal squabbles.The confederation continued after his death but there was pressure from outside and disagreement within. However his legacy, the Betsimisaraka territory included the important port Toamasina, Fenerive, Maroansetra commanding Antongil Bay , the largest bay in Madagascar. [http://countrystudies.us/madagascar/11.htm Madagascar: A Country Study] , Helen Chapin Metz, ed. Library of Congress, 1994., accessed 14 August 2008 ]

After his death his daughter, Bity, became queen. [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Madagascar_native.html World Statesman.org] , accessed 13 August 2008] She had married a French corporal and it said that this is what gave France its first claim. She reigned with her husband, until Ratsimilaho's son, Zanahary, became leader.

References