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35-478: Radama may refer to: Radama I of Madagascar (c. 1793-1828), the first king of Madagascar Radama II of Madagascar (1829–1863), king of the Merina Kingdom of Madagascar [REDACTED] Topics referred to by the same term This disambiguation page lists articles about people with the same name. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change

70-458: A campaign to the eastern port town of Toamasina, where he established a military post. This was followed by a series of westward campaigns into Menabe in 1820, 1821 and 1822. The following year, Radama sent military expeditions along the northeast coast, establishing military posts at Maroantsetra, Tintingue and Mananjary. In 1824 further expeditions established posts at Vohemar, Diego Suarez , and Mahajanga. In 1825 military posts were established in

105-812: A failed invasion by King Ramitraho of the Menabe kingdom in the early 19th century. The Betsileo occupy the south of the Madagascar plateau . Their traditional territory extends from the north of the Mania River in the north to the foot of the Andringitra Massif in the south; to the west by the Bongolava chain and the east by the Eastern Forest, occupied by the Tanala tribe. Most of

140-555: A growing kingdom in the central plateau of the island around Antananarivo . As a child, Radama was educated at court and learned to read the Malagasy language in the Sorabe Arabico-Malagasy script used by Antemoro ombiasy (court astrologers). As a young man he was described by a contemporary as about 5'4" (1.6 meters) and slim with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. Radama was invited to join his father on

175-478: A high-ranking military officer named Andriamamba, discovered the truth and collaborated with other powerful officers - Andriamihaja , Rainijohary and Ravalontsalama - to support Ramavo, Radama's highest ranking wife, as successor. She ultimately succeeded Radama as Queen Ranavalona I . Betsileo The Betsileo are a highland ethnic group of Madagascar , the third largest in terms of population. They chose their name, meaning "The Many Invincible Ones", after

210-493: A military expedition during his campaign to pacify the Betsileo , who had forsaken an oath sworn to Andrianampoinimerina. Their initial attempt to capture King Andriamanalina at the fortified city of Fandanana west of Antsirabe was unsuccessful. When they returned a year later, Andrianampoinimerina split his army into two columns and put Radama at the head of the second column, providing him with his first opportunity to command

245-585: A military regiment. He was accompanied by a group of seasoned soldiers called the Tantsaha, and Andriandtsoanandria, one of his father's more experienced military advisers. He successfully negotiated the submission of several towns in Betsileo. Andrianampoinimerina ultimately captured and executed Andriamanalina, and together Radama and his father also captured the strategic town of Kiririoka. On Andrianampoinimerina's deathbed, he reportedly told his son, "The sea

280-459: A mirror, bed, several chairs and a table upon which were placed two porcelain water vessels and one bottle each of water and rum that were replenished annually during the fandroana (festival of the royal bath). Most of these items were lost when a 1995 fire destroyed the Rova of Antananarivo where the tomb was located. Radama died without naming a clear successor, but according to local custom ,

315-611: A school there enrolling three students. Radama was inspired to introduce similar schools throughout Imerina. Within a year he had established 23 schools enrolling 2300 students, of whom a third were girls. He tasked the LMS missionaries to transcribe and teach the Malagasy language using the Latin alphabet . It was under Radama's rule that LMS missionaries (with notable contributions from Scottsman James Cameron ) set up craft industries in carpentry, leather, tin plating and cotton, introduced

350-520: A supernatural realm of ancestral spirits, ghosts, and nature spirits similar to animism practiced in other parts of the world. A creator deity named Zanahary was also recognized, and is still invoked for ceremonial purposes. The competing influences of European monotheism and native religion in Madagascar resulted in a unique system of religious customs in which Christian practices and traditional tenets were combined in ceremonies and belief. One of

385-648: Is also important, though not as significant as in neighboring groups like the Bara. The people are excellent woodcarvers and are known for their large wooden sculptures. Despite the prevalence of Christianity, the role of diviners, astrologists and witch doctors in Betsileo society is also still significant. Witch doctors are believed to be able to manipulate magic as well as converse with ancestors, and can be consulted for reasons ranging from health issues to poisoning. Astrologists and diviners are consulted to set dates for ceremonies or read people’s futures. The Betsileo speak

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420-619: Is found between the Ivato and the Matsiatra rivers. The Southern Betsileo is all the Betsileo territory to the south of the Matsiatra river (the Isandra, Lalangina, Iarindrano and Andringitra ). The different Betsileo kingdoms (Fandriana, Fisakana, Manandriana, Isandra, etc.) existed independently of each other with oral traditions dating back to the 17th century. They were all eventually conquered and reorganized by Radama I . A large portion of

455-473: Is influenced by a long history of slavery before its abolition during the French colonization . The Betsileo have a complex system of social organization determined through a number of stratifications. The status structure of the Betsileo is principally determined by the ancestry of an individual’s family. Status was historically split between andriana (nobles), hova (free commoners) and andevo (slaves),

490-442: Is the border of my rice field". Radama swore to his father that he would achieve this ambition. In 1810, at the age of 17, Radama succeeded his father as king of Imerina. Several of the principalities conquered by his father revolted upon news of Andrianampoinimerina's death. The young ruler immediately had to embark on military campaigns that successfully put down the rebellions and secured his position, which included completing

525-467: The Betsileo people were made into slaves and traded domestically or sold to European slave traders. Radama I made Fianarantsoa the administrative capital of the central and southern Betsileo people. The north was attached to Antsirabe . Thus the Betsileo as a group began in the 19th century as an administrative subdivision by the Malagasy government. The Betsileo identity is closely associated with

560-474: The Betsileo region lies within the boundaries of the Malagasy province of Fianarantsoa , where their capital city of the same name can be found. Traditionally their territory and their people are divided into three major parts. The Northern Betsileo (or Fisakana) is defined by the Ivato and Manandona rivers in the north and the Sahanivotry and Mania rivers to the south. The Central Betsileo (or Manandriana)

595-584: The Merina culture, since they are both highland-dwelling groups. The Betsileo social structure is determined by a very complex system of kinship . There is a close connection between family members permeating society to the level of administrative roles and jobs, as most Betsileo are obligated to join their relatives in the family occupation. There is also considerable emphasis on the role of elders as community leaders. Community elders often hold more authority than those in formal government positions. Betsileo society

630-510: The dominant force, allowing him to unify the island by force. Radama reportedly admired Napoleon Bonaparte and drew upon European structure and tactics to modernize his army, which included French, British and Jamaican generals. In each newly conquered territory, administrative posts were built within fortified garrisons ( rova ) on the model of the original Rova of Antananarivo . These were staffed with Merina colonists called voanjo ("peanuts"). Radama's territorial expansion began in 1817 with

665-465: The first Europeans entered his central highland Kingdom of Imerina and its capital at Antananarivo . Radama encouraged these London Missionary Society envoys to establish schools to teach tradecraft and literacy to nobles and potential military and civil service recruits. They also introduced Christianity and taught literacy using the translated Bible. A wide range of political and social reforms were enacted under Radama's rule, including an end to

700-438: The first printing press, translated and printed Bibles in the Malagasy language and oversaw Radama's plan to establish dozens of schools. They offered compulsory literacy courses and basic education for the nobles of Imerina . Radama's European contacts describe him as openly skeptical of many of the religious rituals and traditions that formed the legitimacy of the Merina monarchy over the past four centuries. In particular he

735-506: The international slave trade, although this had historically been a key source of wealth and armaments for the Merina monarchy. Through aggressive military campaigns he successfully united two-thirds of the island under his rule. Abuse of alcohol weakened his health and he died prematurely at age 35. He was succeeded by his highest-ranking wife, Ranavalona I . Radama was the son of Rambolamasoandro and King Andrianampoinimerina of Imerina ,

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770-567: The island under Merina rule. The areas retaining independence included most of Bara country, Mahafaly and Antandroy in the south, a stretch of southern Tanala and the coastal area between Antesaka and Antanosy in the east, and northern Menabe and Ambongo in the west. Radama died prematurely on 27 July 1828, at his residence (the Tranovola ). Historical sources provide conflicting accounts regarding his cause of death. Many years of military campaigning certainly took their toll, and Radama

805-522: The latter being a highly stigmatized term for the lowest social class in contemporary Betsileo society. Since the arrival of European missionaries in the nineteenth century, much of the Malagasy population has since been converted to Christianity . About 94% of Betsileo are Christians. Most Betsileo are either Protestant or Catholic , but much of their ancestral traditions and religious tenets are still observed, often alongside or in concert with Christian practices. Pre-Christian Betsileo beliefs recognized

840-423: The link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radama&oldid=933076195 " Category : Human name disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Radama I of Madagascar Under Radama's rule and at his invitation,

875-573: The majority of Madagascar's population, largely a mix of Bantu African and Austronesian descent, although some sources claim that the Betsileo are primarily of Austronesian descent. However, their appearance resembles closer to Bantu populations than Austronesian. Traditionally they claim a common heritage with the Antemoro from the east coast and the Bara from further south. They traditionally lived in huts made of vegetable fiber, reserving wooden huts for

910-577: The most significant Betsileo ceremonies that still takes place is the famadihana , or “turning of the bones,” during which the remains of Bestileo ancestors are taken out of their tombs and wrapped in new linens and celebrated. Similar religious ceremonials can also be found in Toraja , South Sulawesi and Dayaks in Kalimantan and also in various other places in Indonesia . The Betsileo are, like

945-640: The nobles, per Malagasy architectural norms . Both were often adorned with decorative motifs or even the horns of zebu . Nowadays mud and brick houses are more common. The Betsileo region of Fianarantsoa is characterized by hills and valleys with rice paddies carved into the sides of them in elaborate terracing systems, in a style reminiscent of those in Southeast Asia. The Betsileo diet almost invariably consists of rice accompanied with livestock such as beef, chicken, or duck and secondary crops like cassava, beans and other farm vegetables. Cattle raising

980-521: The pacification of the Betsileo kingdom. In 1816 Radama was contacted by a Mauritian trader sent by British Governor Robert Townsend Farquhar of Mauritius (Ile de France), who was interested in increasing British influence in the region and preventing the re-establishment of French trading posts on Madagascar. As a result of this initial contact, two of Radama's half-brothers, Rahovy and Ramarotafika, were sponsored to be educated in Mauritius. This

1015-455: The rightful heir was Rakotobe, the eldest son of Radama's eldest sister. Radama died in the company of two trusted courtiers who were favorable to the succession of Rakotobe. However, they hesitated to report the news of Radama's death for several days, fearing possible reprisals against them for having been involved in denouncing one of the king's rivals, whose family had a stake in the succession after Radama. During this time, another courtier,

1050-519: The southeastern coastal towns of Farafangana and Fort Dauphin. The Antalaotra were defeated in 1826 in a combined land and sea attack. Revolts by the Antanosy and Betsimisaraka prompted Radama to launch a military campaign to subjugate them. The Antesaka were conquered in Radama's final military campaign in 1827, and the northern Tanala became a vassalage. All together, Radama united two thirds of

1085-555: Was appointed to the role of British resident minister . But, the import of slaves from the African mainland continued, and remained Madagascar's primary import throughout Radama's reign and into the 1850s. Radama's military campaign to Toamasina in 1820 brought him into contact with Welshmen David Jones and David Griffiths of the Protestant London Missionary Society (LMS), who had established

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1120-478: Was followed by a commercial treaty. On 23 October 1817, Radama signed a treaty negotiated by former military general James Hastie that granted Radama a formal alliance with the British crown and its recognition of Radama as "King of Madagascar" in exchange for horses, uniforms and a pledge to abandon the export of slaves . The British were invited to establish a diplomatic mission on the island, and in 1820 Hastie

1155-404: Was laid to rest in a silver coffin, and it is said the funerary goods buried with him were the most extensive and richest of any tomb in Madagascar. These included a deep red silk lamba mena , imported paintings of European royalty, thousands of coins, eighty articles of clothing, swords, jewels, gold vases, containers of silver and so forth. Alongside each interior wall of the trano masina were

1190-571: Was prone to drinking heavily; shortly before his death he displayed symptoms of advanced alcoholism as his health rapidly declined. His death was officially declared to be the consequence of heavy intoxication. Radama was buried in a stone tomb on the grounds of the Rova of Antananarivo . In line with Malagasy architectural norms , his tomb was topped with a trano masina ("sacred house") symbolic of royalty. Like his father Andrianampoinimerina and other Merina sovereigns that would follow him, he

1225-410: Was reportedly critical of the importance placed on the sampy , the 12 royal idols that figured prominently in Merina court ritual. Many of the cultural and technological innovations Radama introduced during his reign were rejected by the broader population as a denial of the heritage of their ancestors and their traditions. During this time and with the help of the British, Radama's military became

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