| 1 |
 |
Page 451
“...favour-
ably for a settlement, they began to build houses, and thus was founded
the first Hova village in Imerina.
After relating the above legend, the writer continues : "I have been
twice at Ifanangoavana, and there are still to be seen there the re-
mains of a town. These remains consist principally of the stone
pavements that surrounded the houses. In the centre of the town
there is a huge rock on which Andrianamponga and his chief men
used to sit basking in the sun and playing the game of fanorona.
Ifanangoavana is a somewhat elevated place and completely surround-
ed with trees. It is now (1853) held so sacred that no person, of what-...”
|
|
| 2 |
 |
Page 457
“...patient-
ly and skilfuly tracking the insect life that infested the old man's
long hair, while the grandfather told him stories and poured into his
ears sage counsel and loving admonition fitted to make him wise to
rule in the land hereafter. This quietly passed the time for the aged
sire and his loving grandson, their sweet intercourse being broken only
by the loud voices and coarse laughter coming from the palace where
Andriantomponimerina and his headmen spent the hours in playing
the game of fanorona and gorging themselves with rice and fat meat.
All this while the lad was quite unaware that his grandfather was
kept at Ambohidratrimo against his will. He had frequently heard
the old man's deep-drawn sighs and seen the tears streaming down
his cheeks, but had never enquired their cause. One day, however,
his curiosity being roused, he said to his companion: "Grandfather,
why do you so often weep ?" "Ah ! my child," said the king, "has
your father never told you that he holds me here a prisoner...”
|
|
