Ambohimanga

Ambohimanga is an archeological site that contains a ruined city, burial sites, and assorted sacred places. It is a place of religious and historical significance in the culture of the Malagasy people, and has been so for the last 500 years.

Year Decision Comments
2001 Inscribed Reasons for inscription

Reviews

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When i went to the kings palace there was a man who was possessed by a spirit of a king from the south and he was in a trance trying to communicate with the king. There was an accordian player and a group of mediums helping him out. So there we were in the kings hut not believing what was happening. The Malagasy people just though it was normal and went about paying no attention. The guardian very kindly let me take pictures of the scene and another european was filming it.
 
Paul Tanner (UK):
If you are in Madagascar your prime objective is probably to see Lemur and the other unique ecological aspects of the country. The culture is interesting too having developed from the first immigrants – coming, not from Africa, but some 1500 years ago from the area of present day Indonesia and Malaysia. Meeting the people and seeing their way of life and rituals/ritual objects is also a major plus point for the country.

Ambohimanga, the main “historic site”, is only 20 kms from the capital and should NOT be missed whilst you are there. By the time the British and French vied for control over Madagsacar in the 19th century Madagascar was ruled by a royal line of the Merina clan who came from the highland area around Antananarivo. Ambohimanga was their Palace and later, as Antananarivo became the capital, it in developed as the weekend retreat for the royal family.

The place has a peaceful atmosphere made more poignant by the history of what happened to the royal family who used it. In 1890 the British eventually gave way to the French in return for a free hand in Zanzibar and the French invaded Madagsacar in 1895 eventually deposing the Queen and exiling her to Algeria. The family was never allowed to return by the French.

The compound is beautifully set in green countryside looking over a rice paddy filled plain reaching back to Tana. The wooden buildings include a bedroom and meeting rooms plainly furnished with goods which include gifts from Queen Victoria. Outside there are pens for the royal Zebu. Pilgrims come to pray using the good offices of the spirits of the Queens.

All in all a magical place!
 


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