Twelve sacred hills of Imerina
Encyclopedia
The twelve sacred hills of Imerina are hills of historical significance to the Merina
people of Madagascar. Located throughout Imerina, the central area of the highlands of Madagascar, the sites were often ancient capitals, the birthplaces of key public figures, or housed the tombs of esteemed political or spiritual leaders. The first set of sacred sites was designated by early 17th century king Andrianjaka
. The notion was re-sanctified under late 18th century king Andrianampoinimerina
, who replaced several of the earlier sites with new ones. More than 12 sites were thus designated as sacred over time, although the notion of twelve sacred hills was perpetuated because of the significance of the number 12 in Malagasy cosmology. Today, little concrete evidence of the former importance of many of these sites remains, but the significant archeological and cultural heritage of several of the sites has been preserved. The historic significance of the sites is best represented by the Rova of Antananarivo
at Analamanga, the ancient fortified city at Alasora, the houses and tombs of the andriana
(noble class) at Antsahadinta and the ancient fortifications and palaces at Ambohimanga
, protected as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site since 2001.
(1610-1630) declared twelve hills in Imerina (the central region of the Highlands of Madagascar) to be sacred due to their historical, political or spiritual significance to the Merina
people. King Andrianampoinimerina
(1787–1810) designated twelve hills in his turn, including several of those first identified by Andrianjaka. Most of these hills served as locations of the capitals of rival kingdoms conquered by Andrianampoinimerina and united under his rule, and many are also the seat of power of historic kings and queens of the Merina dynasty
.
cosmology and it is commonly said that Andrianampoinimerina had twelve wives and installed one on each of the twelve sacred hills throughout his kingdom. In reality, he had more than twelve wives, and there are more than twelve hills surrounding Antananarivo
that claim sacred status. As such, precisely which hills should constitute the list of twelve sacred sites named by Andrianampoinimerina remains a point of some contention, but diverse sources have commonly indicated the following sites:
Queen Rangita
(1500-1520) and her brother Andrianamponga gave the site its current name. Under Rangita's daughter, Queen Rafohy
(1520-1540), the capital of the region was moved from Imerimanjaka to Alasora. Some of the monumental features of the site were added upon the orders of her son, King Andriamanelo
(1540-1575), including the hadivory and hadifetsy (defensive trenches around the town), as well as the vavahady, a town gate protected by a large rolled stone disc acting as a barrier and shaded by aviavy (fig trees), symbolic of royalty. This town model was subsequently adopted throughout Imerina. Andriamanelo's tomb is located here.
(1575-1610), who is buried here, along with his Vazimba
grandfather (or father-in-law) Rabiby, a renowned astrologer for whom the hill is named.
longitude 47°26'48.70"E. (17km the north of Antananarivo). Named for King Ratrimo who, in the mid-12th century, was according to oral history the first king to have established rule over the territory. After several unsuccessful attempts to capture the hill by force, Andrianampoinimerina finally managed to successfully incorporate the territory into his kingdom by marriage with his first wife, Rambolamasoandro, princess of Ambohidratrimo
and eventual mother of his son and successor Radama I.
, Ambohimanga
was designated a World Heritage Site
by UNESCO
in 2001.
, Analamanga
is the highest hill within the capital city of Antananarivo
, upon which the original town was built by King Andrianjaka
(1610 - 1630).
and other LMS missionaries
under Radama I, and several important royal tombs dating back over 700 years. Among all the royal hills of Imerina, the cultural and archeological heritage contained in this site is second only to Ambohimanga
.
. Among the remains of the historic town are a traditional vavahady stone alongside the original stone town gate, numerous ancient unmarked stone tombs and a well-preserved original wooden aristocratic house.
Ilafy Latitude 18°51'16.63"S, longitude 47°33'54.43"E. (10km from Antananarivo): The site of the capital of the kingdom of Andrianjafy
(1770-1787), as well as a modest wooden vacation palace constructed by Radama II (1861-1863). Ilafy
is also the site of the first arms manufacture in Madagascar, established by Jean Laborde
in 1833. The original tomb of King Radama II is located here, and his body was interred in this tomb in 1863 but was later transferred to the tomb of Radama I on the compound of the Rova of Antananarivo
in 1897.
queens: Rangita
, who ruled her kingdom from this territory, and Rafohy
, mother of Andriamanelo
, the first King of the Imerina dynasty.
was a town of importance to the Vazimba.
between the Merina
and French
forces in 1895.
Merina
The Merina are an ethnic group from Madagascar. The Merina are concentrated in the Highlands and speak the official dialect of the Malagasy language, which is a branch of the Malayo-Polynesian language group derived from the Barito languages, spoken in southern Borneo. Their ancestors, the...
people of Madagascar. Located throughout Imerina, the central area of the highlands of Madagascar, the sites were often ancient capitals, the birthplaces of key public figures, or housed the tombs of esteemed political or spiritual leaders. The first set of sacred sites was designated by early 17th century king Andrianjaka
Andrianjaka
Andrianjaka reigned over the Kingdom of Imerina in the central highlands region of Madagascar from around 1612 to 1630. Despite being the younger of King Ralambo's two sons, Andrianjaka succeeded to the throne on the basis of his strength of character and skill as a military tactician...
. The notion was re-sanctified under late 18th century king Andrianampoinimerina
Andrianampoinimerina
Ruling between 1787–1810, Andrianampoinimerina , born Ramboasalama or Ramboasalamarazaka at Ambohimanga around 1745 , initiated the unification of Madagascar under Merina rule and is considered one of the greatest military and political...
, who replaced several of the earlier sites with new ones. More than 12 sites were thus designated as sacred over time, although the notion of twelve sacred hills was perpetuated because of the significance of the number 12 in Malagasy cosmology. Today, little concrete evidence of the former importance of many of these sites remains, but the significant archeological and cultural heritage of several of the sites has been preserved. The historic significance of the sites is best represented by the Rova of Antananarivo
Rova of Antananarivo
The Rova of Antananarivo is a royal palace complex in Madagascar that served as the home of the sovereigns of the Kingdom of Imerina in the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as the rulers of the Kingdom of Madagascar in the 19th century...
at Analamanga, the ancient fortified city at Alasora, the houses and tombs of the andriana
Andriana
Andriana is a title of nobility in Madagascar and often traditionally formed part of the names of noblemen, princes and kings. Historically, many Malagasy ethnic groups lived in highly stratified caste-based social orders in which the andriana were the political and/or spiritual leaders...
(noble class) at Antsahadinta and the ancient fortifications and palaces at Ambohimanga
Ambohimanga
The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga is a site of cultural and historical significance located approximately 24 kilometers to the east of the capital city of Antananarivo in Madagascar...
, protected as a UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Site since 2001.
History
According to popular legend, King AndrianjakaAndrianjaka
Andrianjaka reigned over the Kingdom of Imerina in the central highlands region of Madagascar from around 1612 to 1630. Despite being the younger of King Ralambo's two sons, Andrianjaka succeeded to the throne on the basis of his strength of character and skill as a military tactician...
(1610-1630) declared twelve hills in Imerina (the central region of the Highlands of Madagascar) to be sacred due to their historical, political or spiritual significance to the Merina
Merina
The Merina are an ethnic group from Madagascar. The Merina are concentrated in the Highlands and speak the official dialect of the Malagasy language, which is a branch of the Malayo-Polynesian language group derived from the Barito languages, spoken in southern Borneo. Their ancestors, the...
people. King Andrianampoinimerina
Andrianampoinimerina
Ruling between 1787–1810, Andrianampoinimerina , born Ramboasalama or Ramboasalamarazaka at Ambohimanga around 1745 , initiated the unification of Madagascar under Merina rule and is considered one of the greatest military and political...
(1787–1810) designated twelve hills in his turn, including several of those first identified by Andrianjaka. Most of these hills served as locations of the capitals of rival kingdoms conquered by Andrianampoinimerina and united under his rule, and many are also the seat of power of historic kings and queens of the Merina dynasty
Merina Kingdom
The Merina Kingdom was a pre-colonial south-eastern African state that dominated most of what is now Madagascar. It spread outward from Imerina, the central highlands region primarily inhabited by the Merina ethnic group with a modern and historic political capital at Antananarivo and a spiritual...
.
Key sites
Twelve is a sacred number in MerinaMerina
The Merina are an ethnic group from Madagascar. The Merina are concentrated in the Highlands and speak the official dialect of the Malagasy language, which is a branch of the Malayo-Polynesian language group derived from the Barito languages, spoken in southern Borneo. Their ancestors, the...
cosmology and it is commonly said that Andrianampoinimerina had twelve wives and installed one on each of the twelve sacred hills throughout his kingdom. In reality, he had more than twelve wives, and there are more than twelve hills surrounding Antananarivo
Antananarivo
Antananarivo , formerly Tananarive , is the capital and largest city in Madagascar. It is also known by its French colonial shorthand form Tana....
that claim sacred status. As such, precisely which hills should constitute the list of twelve sacred sites named by Andrianampoinimerina remains a point of some contention, but diverse sources have commonly indicated the following sites:
Hill of Alasora
Alasora 1348 m, latitude 18°57'46.08"S, longitude 47° 34'09.74"E.(15 km northeast of Antananarivo) One of the oldest villages in Imerina, believed to have been founded by Prince Ramasimparihy in 1490. Ruling from Imerimanjaka, vazimbaVazimba
The Vazimba , according to popular belief, were the first inhabitants of Madagascar. While beliefs about the physical appearance of the Vazimba reflect regional variation, they are generally described as smaller in stature than the average person, leading some scientists to speculate that they may...
Queen Rangita
Rangita
Queen Rangita , also known as Rangitamanjakatrimovavy, was a Vazimba sovereign who ruled at Merimanjaka in the central highlands of Madagascar after her father, King Andrianmpandramanenitra . She was succeeded upon her death by her daughter , Queen Rafohy...
(1500-1520) and her brother Andrianamponga gave the site its current name. Under Rangita's daughter, Queen Rafohy
Rafohy
Queen Rafohy was a Vazimba queen who ruled at Alasora in the central Highlands of Madagascar until her death. Her name means "The Short One." She succeeded upon the death of Vazimba Queen Rangita, who by different accounts was either her mother or her adoptive sister...
(1520-1540), the capital of the region was moved from Imerimanjaka to Alasora. Some of the monumental features of the site were added upon the orders of her son, King Andriamanelo
Andriamanelo
Andriamanelo was King of Alasora in the central highlands region of Madagascar. He is generally considered by historians to be the founder of the Kingdom of Imerina and originator of the Merina royal line that, by the 19th century, had extended its rule over virtually all of Madagascar...
(1540-1575), including the hadivory and hadifetsy (defensive trenches around the town), as well as the vavahady, a town gate protected by a large rolled stone disc acting as a barrier and shaded by aviavy (fig trees), symbolic of royalty. This town model was subsequently adopted throughout Imerina. Andriamanelo's tomb is located here.
Hill of Ambohidrabiby
Ambohidrabiby (or Ambohitrabiby) (20 km north of Antananarivo): Site of the capital of King RalamboRalambo
Ralambo was the ruler of the Kingdom of Imerina in the central Highlands region of Madagascar from 1575 to 1612. Ruling from Ambohidrabiby, Ralambo expanded the realm of his father, Andriamanelo, and was the first to assign the name of Imerina to the region...
(1575-1610), who is buried here, along with his Vazimba
Vazimba
The Vazimba , according to popular belief, were the first inhabitants of Madagascar. While beliefs about the physical appearance of the Vazimba reflect regional variation, they are generally described as smaller in stature than the average person, leading some scientists to speculate that they may...
grandfather (or father-in-law) Rabiby, a renowned astrologer for whom the hill is named.
Hill of Ambohidratrimo
Ambohidratrimo 1352 m, latitude 18°49'25.52"S,longitude 47°26'48.70"E. (17km the north of Antananarivo). Named for King Ratrimo who, in the mid-12th century, was according to oral history the first king to have established rule over the territory. After several unsuccessful attempts to capture the hill by force, Andrianampoinimerina finally managed to successfully incorporate the territory into his kingdom by marriage with his first wife, Rambolamasoandro, princess of Ambohidratrimo
Ambohidratrimo
Ambohidratrimo is a town in Analamanga Region, Madagascar, located on what has historically been considered one of the Twelve sacred hills of Imerina....
and eventual mother of his son and successor Radama I.
Hill of Ambohimanga
Ambohimanga ("Blue hill"), 1456 m, latitude 18°45'66.18"S, longitude 47°33'69.30"E. (21km north of Antananarivo): Site of the capital of Imerina under AndrianampoinimerinaAndrianampoinimerina
Ruling between 1787–1810, Andrianampoinimerina , born Ramboasalama or Ramboasalamarazaka at Ambohimanga around 1745 , initiated the unification of Madagascar under Merina rule and is considered one of the greatest military and political...
, Ambohimanga
Ambohimanga
The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga is a site of cultural and historical significance located approximately 24 kilometers to the east of the capital city of Antananarivo in Madagascar...
was designated a World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
by UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
in 2001.
Hill of Analamanga
Analamanga ("Green forest"), Latitude 18°55'24.86"S, longitude 47°31'56.06"E. (Antananarivo center): Site of the Rova of AntananarivoRova of Antananarivo
The Rova of Antananarivo is a royal palace complex in Madagascar that served as the home of the sovereigns of the Kingdom of Imerina in the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as the rulers of the Kingdom of Madagascar in the 19th century...
, Analamanga
Analamanga
Analamanga is a region in Madagascar, containing the capital Antananarivo and surrounding metropolitan area.Analamanga means "blue forest". It's also an older name for Antananarivo.*Capital: Antananarivo-Renivohitra.*Area: 17,445 km²*Population: 2,650,000...
is the highest hill within the capital city of Antananarivo
Antananarivo
Antananarivo , formerly Tananarive , is the capital and largest city in Madagascar. It is also known by its French colonial shorthand form Tana....
, upon which the original town was built by King Andrianjaka
Andrianjaka
Andrianjaka reigned over the Kingdom of Imerina in the central highlands region of Madagascar from around 1612 to 1630. Despite being the younger of King Ralambo's two sons, Andrianjaka succeeded to the throne on the basis of his strength of character and skill as a military tactician...
(1610 - 1630).
Hill of Antsahadinta
Antsahadinta ("Valley of the leeches"), 1390 m, latitude 19°00'72.18"S, longitude 47°27'45.00"E. Seat of power in western Imerina and the site of numerous well-preserved wooden aristocratic houses, one of the first 12 public schools built by James CameronJames Cameron (missionary)
James Cameron was a 19th century Scottish artisan missionary with a background in carpentry who, over the course of twenty-three years of service in Madagascar with the London Missionary Society , played a major role in the Christianization and industrialization of that island state, then under...
and other LMS missionaries
London Missionary Society
The London Missionary Society was a non-denominational missionary society formed in England in 1795 by evangelical Anglicans and Nonconformists, largely Congregationalist in outlook, with missions in the islands of the South Pacific and Africa...
under Radama I, and several important royal tombs dating back over 700 years. Among all the royal hills of Imerina, the cultural and archeological heritage contained in this site is second only to Ambohimanga
Ambohimanga
The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga is a site of cultural and historical significance located approximately 24 kilometers to the east of the capital city of Antananarivo in Madagascar...
.
Hill of Ikaloy
Ikaloy 1435 m, latitude 18°35'43.72"S, longitude 47°38'99.76"E. Birthplace of King AndrianampoinimerinaAndrianampoinimerina
Ruling between 1787–1810, Andrianampoinimerina , born Ramboasalama or Ramboasalamarazaka at Ambohimanga around 1745 , initiated the unification of Madagascar under Merina rule and is considered one of the greatest military and political...
. Among the remains of the historic town are a traditional vavahady stone alongside the original stone town gate, numerous ancient unmarked stone tombs and a well-preserved original wooden aristocratic house.
Hill of Ilafy
Andrianjafy
King Andrianjafy also known as Andrianjafinandriamanitra and Andrianjafinjanahary, was the king of Imerina Avaradrano, the northern part of the central highlands of Madagascar with its capital at Ambohimanga....
(1770-1787), as well as a modest wooden vacation palace constructed by Radama II (1861-1863). Ilafy
Ilafy
Ilafy is a town and commune in Madagascar. It belongs to the district of Ambatondrazaka, which is a part of Alaotra-Mangoro Region. The population of the commune was estimated to be approximately 13,000 in 2001 commune census....
is also the site of the first arms manufacture in Madagascar, established by Jean Laborde
Jean Laborde
Jean Laborde was an adventurer and early industrialist in Madagascar. He became the chief engineer of the Merina monarchy, supervising the creation of a modern manufacturing center under Queen Ranavalona I...
in 1833. The original tomb of King Radama II is located here, and his body was interred in this tomb in 1863 but was later transferred to the tomb of Radama I on the compound of the Rova of Antananarivo
Rova of Antananarivo
The Rova of Antananarivo is a royal palace complex in Madagascar that served as the home of the sovereigns of the Kingdom of Imerina in the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as the rulers of the Kingdom of Madagascar in the 19th century...
in 1897.
Hill of Imerimanjaka
Imerimanjaka: Site of the tombs of two vazimbaVazimba
The Vazimba , according to popular belief, were the first inhabitants of Madagascar. While beliefs about the physical appearance of the Vazimba reflect regional variation, they are generally described as smaller in stature than the average person, leading some scientists to speculate that they may...
queens: Rangita
Rangita
Queen Rangita , also known as Rangitamanjakatrimovavy, was a Vazimba sovereign who ruled at Merimanjaka in the central highlands of Madagascar after her father, King Andrianmpandramanenitra . She was succeeded upon her death by her daughter , Queen Rafohy...
, who ruled her kingdom from this territory, and Rafohy
Rafohy
Queen Rafohy was a Vazimba queen who ruled at Alasora in the central Highlands of Madagascar until her death. Her name means "The Short One." She succeeded upon the death of Vazimba Queen Rangita, who by different accounts was either her mother or her adoptive sister...
, mother of Andriamanelo
Andriamanelo
Andriamanelo was King of Alasora in the central highlands region of Madagascar. He is generally considered by historians to be the founder of the Kingdom of Imerina and originator of the Merina royal line that, by the 19th century, had extended its rule over virtually all of Madagascar...
, the first King of the Imerina dynasty.
Hill of Imerimandroso
Imerimandroso Latitude 17°25'47.02"S, longitude 48°35'32.58"E. ImerimandrosoImerimandroso
Imerimandroso is a town and commune in Madagascar. It belongs to the district of Ambatondrazaka, which is a part of Alaotra-Mangoro Region. The population of the commune was estimated to be approximately 11,000 in 2001 commune census....
was a town of importance to the Vazimba.
Hill of Namehana
Namehana Latitude 18°50'03.00"S, longitude 47°32'55.79"E. Site of a major battle of the Franco-Hova WarFranco-Hova War
The Franco-Hova Wars consisted of French military interventions in Madagascar between 1883 and 1896 that overthrew the ruling monarchy of the Merina Kingdom, and resulted in Madagascar becoming a French colony...
between the Merina
Merina
The Merina are an ethnic group from Madagascar. The Merina are concentrated in the Highlands and speak the official dialect of the Malagasy language, which is a branch of the Malayo-Polynesian language group derived from the Barito languages, spoken in southern Borneo. Their ancestors, the...
and French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
forces in 1895.
Less commonly cited hills
There are numerous other sites less commonly included among the twelve sacred hills. Chief among these are:- Ambohijoky (12 km south of Antananarivo): Kingdom of origin of Queen Rabodo, 15th wife of AndrianampoinimerinaAndrianampoinimerinaRuling between 1787–1810, Andrianampoinimerina , born Ramboasalama or Ramboasalamarazaka at Ambohimanga around 1745 , initiated the unification of Madagascar under Merina rule and is considered one of the greatest military and political...
. At 1519 meters, it is the highest of the twelve sacred hills of Imerina. - Antongona: AntongonaAntongonaThe archaeological site of Antongona is located in the Imamo Region of Madagascar, roughly 36 km west of Antananarivo and 6 km north of Imerintsiatosika.- Site Description :...
is the site of two historic royal wooden houses and the walled village of Amborano, established in the 17th century. - Androhibe
- Ampandrana
- Hiarandriana
- Ambatomanohina
- Ambohidrapeto
- Fenoarivo
- Iharanandriana
- Ambohidrontsy (Ambohihontsy, Ambohimanambola)
- Ambohitrondrana
- Amboatany:
- Ambohiniazy: Site where the AndriambahoakaAndrianaAndriana is a title of nobility in Madagascar and often traditionally formed part of the names of noblemen, princes and kings. Historically, many Malagasy ethnic groups lived in highly stratified caste-based social orders in which the andriana were the political and/or spiritual leaders...
were traditionally buried. - Ambohijafy
- Ambohimandranjaka