Following the northern and northeastern Imerina regions, the Merina troop led by Rafaralahy and James Hastie reached the Sihanaka country. According to Jean Valette in his “Journal,” the British agent did not define any specific boundaries for the Sihanaka territory. The archivist-paleographer notes that James Hastie crossed it from the Mananara River on June 27, 1822, to Mount Ampangalambotsy on July 7, 1822, covering three distinct natural regions.
On June 28, James Hastie traveled from the Mananara to Mount Ambohidrafidy, describing a rugged, deforested, and sparsely cultivated area. By June 30, he arrived in the Alaotra basin, where he encountered beautiful plains and marshy lowlands that provided both construction materials and rich pastures for local livestock.
As he approached the village of Ambohidava on July 1, the landscape shifted significantly. While he initially noted vast, abandoned marshes, the surroundings of Ambohidava revealed vast rice fields with a surplus of production, marking the first time Hastie identified a potential source of commerce. This agricultural density continued toward Ambatondrazaka, though other crops like cassava, maize, and sugarcane eventually appeared.
Jean Valette highlights that this description confirms the existence of a thriving rice-growing region around Lake Alaotra. Regarding the Merina conquest of Antsihanaka, historical accounts suggest it was relatively peaceful. The warm reception of the Merina forces in Ambohidava and the meeting of local chiefs in Ambatondrazaka on July 3 indicate a lack of deep-seated resentment between the victors and the vanquished, suggesting the conquest was not excessively bloody.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-30 05:38:34 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/une-bonne-entente-entre-vainqueurs-et.html