Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ever quick to put his experience to good use, he later returned to Madagascar as a
slave trader!
Some consider his diary to be a work of fiction, although Robert Drury is known to
have existed. The places and events described correlate so well with reality, however,
that it is almost certainly a genuine, if embellished, account. Aghost-writer is thought
to have been involved in preparing the diary for publication, and many scholars be-
lieve that to have been none other than Daniel Defoe. See
Further information
(on
Click Here
)
for more on Robert Drury.
'THE WICKED QUEEN' AND HER SUCCESSORS
Radama's widow and successor,
Queen Ranavalona I, was determined to rid the land of Christianity and European influen-
ce, and reigned long enough (33 years) to largely achieve her aim. These were repressive
times for Malagasy as well as foreigners. One way of dealing with people suspected of
witchcraft or other evil practices was the 'Ordeal of Tangena' (see box on
Click Here
).
It was during Queen Ranavalona's reign that an extraordinary Frenchman arrived in
Madagascar: Jean Laborde. Building on the work of the British missionaries he introduced
the island to many aspects of Western technology. He remained in the queen's favour until
1857 - much longer than the other Europeans (see box on
Click Here
).
The queen drove the missionaries out of Madagascar and many Malagasy Christians
were martyred. However, the missionaries and European influence returned in greater
strength after the queen's death and in 1869 Christianity became the official religion of the
Merina Kingdom.
AfterQueenRanavalonaIcameKingRadamaII,apeace-lovingandpro-Europeanmon-
arch who was assassinated after a two-year reign in 1863. There is a widely held belief,
however, that he survived strangulation with a silk cord (it was taboo to shed royal blood)
and lived in hiding in the northwest for many years (see box on
Click Here
)
.
After the death of Radama II, his widow Queen Rasoherina came to the throne, but the
monarchy was now in decline and power shifted to the prime minister who shrewdly mar-
ried the queen. He was overthrown by a brother, Rainilaiarivony, who continued the tradi-
tion by marrying three successive queens and exercising all the power. During this period,
1863-96, the monarchs (in title only) were Queen Rasoherina, Queen Ranavalona II and
lastly Queen Ranavalona III.
THE FRENCH CONQUEST
Even during the period of British influence the French
maintained a long-standing claim to Madagascar and in 1883 they attacked and occupied
themain ports.TheFranco-Malagasy Warlasted 30months,andwasconcluded byaharsh
treaty making Madagascar a form of French protectorate. Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony,
hoping for British support, managed to evade full acceptance of this status but the British
government signed away its interest in the Convention of Zanzibar in 1890. The French fi-
