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The political elite of Imerina and the revolt of the Menalamba: the creation of a colonial myth in Madagascar, 1895–18981

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 January 2009

Stephen Ellis
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Extract

One of the most puzzling and fascinating of all resistance movements is that known as the revolt of the menalamba. It occurred over a wide area of central Madagascar, mostly in the kingdom of Imerina, in the two years following the French invasion of Madagascar in 1895. The most mysterious aspect of the rising has always been the question of who, if anyone, was its leader. The official version, that reported by the French government in Madagascar, was that the movement was inspired or directed by a number of magnates at the old Merina court. The published evidence is so ambiguous as to have obliged every subsequent author to accept this version, although there was considerable doubt expressed as to its truth at that time. Recent research in previously unopened archives has thrown new light on the question.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of African History , Volume 21 , Issue 2 , April 1980 , pp. 219 - 234
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1980

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References

2 Rapport d'ensemble sur la pacification, l'organisation et la colonisation de Madagascar (Tananarive, 1899), p. 14.Google Scholar

3 The only full-length work on the menalamba is Rasoanasy, J., Menalamba sy tanindrazana (Tananarive, 1976)Google Scholar. For a good discussion of the published evidence on the leadership of the menalamba see Ayache, S., ‘Introduction à l'œuvre de Rainandriamampandry’, Annales de l'Université de Madagascar, série lettres, x (1969), 11–50.Google Scholar

4 The papers in question are those of the Laroche family, in Paris, and the Lyautey papers, soon to be transferred to a permanent archive in Paris. I am most grateful to Madame Laroche for permission to study her family papers in her own home, and to MM. P. Toussaint and A. Le Révérend and Madame Bonazzi for permission to consult the Lyautey papers. See also note 73.

5 On the political factions see C. Le Myre de Vilers, ‘Note sur la situation politique et morale’, and ‘Généalogie des principales familles Malgaches’, 14 December 1888, Ministère des Affaires Etrangères (MAE), Paris, correspondance politique, Madagascar, ancienne série, vol. 30, fols. 23–32 and 46–53; on the French party, see Knight, E. F., Madagascar in War Time (London, 1896)Google Scholar, passim; for a brief biography of Rasanjy, , Notes, Reconnaissances et Explorations, iii (1898), 116–17.Google Scholar

6 Pascal, R., ‘Les rapports de quinzaine d'Hippolyte Laroche’, pt. v, Bulletin de Madagascar, ccxlviii bis (02 1967), pp. 165–70Google Scholar, prints the treaty. See also Lebon, A., La pacification de Madagascar (Paris, 1928)Google Scholar, passim, on French arguments over the government of Madagascar.

7 Dépôt des Archives d'Outre-Mer (DAOM), Aix-en-Provence, Madagascar 2 Z 326: memoranda by Ranchot, , 14 and 29 Oct. 1895Google Scholar; and Madagascar 2 Z 342: Ranchot, to ministre des affaires étrangères, 15 November 1895.Google Scholar

8 DAOM, Mad. 2 Z 342: Ranchot, to ministre des affaires étrangères, 16 January 1896Google Scholar; Mad. 2 Z 365: General Voyron to ministre de la guerre, 1 February 1896.Google Scholar

9 On the spread of the insurrection in northern Imerina, DAOM Mad. 6 (2) D 3: Ramampanenitra to Ramasoandromahamay (Rabozaka), 19 Alakarabo 1896Google Scholar; in southern Imerina, DAOM Mad. 2 Z 361, passim.

10 Menalamba means literally ‘red shawls’. The most plausible explanation for the name is that the leaders wore red shawls as a traditional symbol of authority.

11 Savaron, C., Mes souvenirs à Madagascar avant et après la conqute (Tananarive, 1932), p. 287Google Scholar. The Laroche papers include the manuscript of the unpublished memoirs of Laroche, Hippolyte, resident-general of Madagascar from January to October 1896Google Scholar. These include a chapter entitled ‘La semaine sanglante’, a record of the siege of Tananarive.

12 Laroche, H., ‘Le pouvoir civil et le commandement’, chapter XIII of his memoirsGoogle Scholar; Lebon, A., La pacification, passim.Google Scholar

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17 Laroche papers: Gautier to Laroche, 1 June 1896Google Scholar; Bourde, to Lebon, 10–11 July 1896Google Scholar, printed in Lebon, , pp. 222–5Google Scholar; P. Bourde, ‘Note sur les rapports du palais avec l'insurrection de l'Imerina’, no date, Archives Nationales Section Outre-Mer (ANSOM), Paris, MAD 215 (445); DAOM Mad. 2 Z 347: Voyron, to Laroche, , 25 June 1896Google Scholar; Service historique de l'Armée (SHA), Vincennes, Madagascar ancien fonds carton 9: Voyron, to ministre de la guerre, 11 June 1896.Google Scholar

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19 ANSOM MAD 216 (453), passim, has a collection of relevant press-cuttings.

20 SHA, Mad. AF44: Lebon, to General Billot, 25 March 1896.Google Scholar

21 Brunet, L., L'œuvre de la France à Madagascar (Paris, 1903)Google Scholar, passim. Brunet was one of the deputies for Réunion.

22 Deschamps, H., Histoire de Madagascar (4th ed., Paris, 1972), p. 236Google Scholar, note 1.

23 Berthier, H., ‘Le protectorat’; Gautier, E-F., Trois Héros (Paris, 1931), pp. 67–139Google Scholar; Carol, J. (pseud.), Chez les Hovas (Au pays rouge), (Paris, 1898)Google Scholar. Cf. Ayache, , ‘Introduction à l'œuvre de Rainandriamampandry’.Google Scholar

24 ‘Exécution du Ministre de l'Intérieur et du Prince Ratsimamanga’, chapter XV of Laroche's memoirs. This text forms the basis for the following discussion of the trial.

25 ibid., p. 61 of typed draft.

26 According to Laroche, Madame, her father-in-law's memoirs were written after 1904.Google Scholar

27 Archives of the United States' consulate at Tamatave (US Consular), vol. x. Original in Washington. Microfilm copy in Archives Nationales (Arch. Nat.), Paris, 253Google Scholar Mi 40: Welter, to Rockhill, , 19 October 1896Google Scholar; Grosclaude, E., Un parisien à Madagascar (2nd ed., Paris, 1898), 94–96Google Scholar; Grosclaude, was probably also the author of the account in Le Figaro, 29 October 1896.Google Scholar

28 Cf. ANSOM MAD 215 (445): Gallieni, to Lebon, , 10 October 1896Google Scholar; Deschamps, H., Histoire de Madagascar, p. 235.Google Scholar

29 ANSOM MAD 216 (453): Laroche, to Lebon, , 20 July 1896.Google Scholar

30 Carol, , Chez les Hovas, 272–4.Google Scholar

31 Gautier, , Trois Héros, 67–139.Google Scholar

32 US Consular, vol. X (Arch. Nat. 253 Mi 40): Welter, to Rockhill, , 19 October and 3 December 1896Google Scholar; Lamy, to Giraud, , 3 December 1896Google Scholar, printed in Reibell, , Le Commandant Lamy, p. 359Google Scholar; Solofo, P., Hitako ny nitifirana an-dRainandriamampandry sy Ratsimamanga (Tananarive, 1959), 14–15.Google Scholar

33 Brunet, , L'œuvre de la France, 377Google Scholaret seq.

34 Rainianjanoro, , Fampandrian-tany sy tantara maro samy hafa (Tananarive, 1920), 11–12Google Scholar; papers, Lyautey, ancien classement 455Google Scholar: Lyautey, to chef de poste de Morafeno, 12 May 1897.Google Scholar

35 Rainianjanoro, , Fampandrian-tany, 12–16Google Scholar; Rainianjanoro, ‘Histoire de ce que Rainianjanoro 15 hrs. a fait dans la pacification du pays à Madagascar’, 1 March 1899, Lyautey papers, a. cl. 445.

36 Lyautey papers, a. cl. 445: Rasanjy, to Rainianjanoro, , 22 May 1897Google Scholar; a. cl. 31: Rémond, to Lyautey, , 8 October 1897.Google Scholar

37 Below, note 46.

38 Lyautey papers, a. cl. 455: Lyautey, to Rémond, , 28 May 1897.Google Scholar

39 Lyautey papers, a. cl. 453/1: Lyautey, to Gallieni, , 1 June 1897.Google Scholar

40 ibid.

41 Lyautey, to his brother, 24 May 1897Google Scholar, [sic], printed in Lyautey, L. H. G., Lettres du Tonkin et de Madagascar (2nd ed.Paris, 1921), 537–9Google Scholar. It is evident that the account was written many years later, and may have been deliberately misleading. Rémond, is misspelt ‘Raymond’; Lyautey was not at Antsatrana on 24 May 1897Google Scholar; nor is the date of the surrender correct.

42 Lyautey papers, a. cl. 452/2: Lyautey, to Rémond, , 11 June 1897.Google Scholar

43 Lyautey papers, a. cl. 455: Lyautey, to Gallieni, , 14 June 1897Google Scholar. Lyautey's italics.

44 Lyautey papers, a. cl. 446: Rabezavana, to Rémond, , 15 July 1897Google Scholar; ANSOM MAD 438 (1203): same to same, 16 July 1897Google Scholar, annexe no. 1 to Gallieni's, political report of 26 August 1897.Google Scholar

45 The other letters are: ‘Déposition de Rainibetsimisaraka’, 26 July 1897Google Scholar, annexe no. 2 to Gallieni's, report of 26 August 1897Google Scholar, ANSOM MAD 438 (1203); letters to and from Rabozaka annexed to H. Berthier, ‘Le protectorat’, in Bull, de l'Acad. Malg.; ‘Déclaration de Rabozaka’, no date, annexed to Gallieni's, report of 27 March 1898Google Scholar, ANSOM MAD 374 (1015).

46 SHA, Mad. nouveau fonds 15/28(2)/17: note on Rainianjanoro, ; Journal Officiel de Madagascar et Dépendances, ccxxxvi (16 04 1898), 1727–8.Google Scholar

47 Rapport d'ensemble, 14.Google Scholar

48 For example, ‘Rapport du tournée du Gouverneur-Général dans le Betsileo’, 13 September-6 October 1897Google Scholar, DAOM Mad. 2 D 95. The bulk of Gallieni's private papers remains with his family and is not available for consultation, but there is much of interest in the archives départementales de l'Orne, Le Myre de Vilers papers, dossier 29: letters from Gallieni, 1896–1904.

49 ‘Exécution du Ministre de l'Intérieur et du Prince Ratsimamanga’, 63–4Google Scholar, Laroche papers; Matthews, T. T., Thirty Years in Madagascar (2nd ed., London, 1904), 319–20.Google Scholar

50 DAOM Mad. 6(10) D 1.

51 LeMyre de Vilers papers.dossier 29: Gallieni, to LeMyre de Vilers, 12 November 1898.Google Scholar

52 DAOM Mad. 2 Z 326: memorandum by Ranchot, , 14 October 1895.Google Scholar

63 ANSOM MAD 216(447): Laroche, to ministre des colonies, 25 February 1896Google Scholar. Enclosed is a French translation of the letter, dated 1 February 1896.Google Scholar

54 ‘La lettre au gouverneur d'Ambohimanga’, typescript of 6 pages, Laroche papers.

55 ANSOM MAD 216 (453): Laroche, to Lebon, 20 July 1896.Google Scholar

56 ‘Rapport de Monsieur le Commandant Gérard, Chef d'Etat-Major, sur la déposition de la Reine’, March 1897Google Scholar, enclosed with Gallieni's report of 12 March 1897Google Scholar, ANSOM MAD 438(1201).

57 ANSOM MAD 216(447): Gautier, to Laroche, , 1 June 1896Google Scholar, annexe no. 1 to Laroche's report of 13 June 1896.Google Scholar

58 For intelligence reports warning of the approaching insurrection, see DAOM MAD. 2 Z 332 and 2 Z 364.

59 ANSOM MAD 216 (447): Laroche, to ministre des colonies, 28 March 1896Google Scholar. A copy of the letter is enclosed: Ravaikafo, (Rabezavana) to Ramahatra, 22 Alohotsy 1896.Google Scholar

60 Savaron, C., Mes souvenirs, 153 and 175Google Scholar. For a brief biography of Ramahatra, Chauvin, J., ‘Le Prince Ramahatra’, Revue d'histoire des colonies, xxvii, ii (1939), 33–46.Google Scholar

61 DAOM Mad. 6(2) D3: Rainimafana, to Ramasoandromahamay (Rabozaka), 16Google ScholarAdimizana 1896.Google Scholar

62 On the circumstances surrounding the reception of the letter see SHA, Mad. NF 8/3/15: Ramahatra, to secrétaire-général, 19 March 1896Google Scholar; Berthier, H., ‘Le protectorat’, 128Google Scholar; Berthier papers, Académie des Sciences d'Outre-mer, Paris: Ramahatra, to Rasanjy, , 19 March 1896Google Scholar, and Ramahatra, to Gallieni, , 19 October 1896.Google Scholar

63 The evidence of the messenger who carried the letter to Ramahatra also throws doubt on the existence of any similar letter from Rabezavana to Rainandriamampandry. ‘Déclaration du messager qui a porté la lettre au Prince Ramahatra…’, March 1896Google Scholar, SHA, Mad. NF 8/3/15.

64 For example, SHA, Mad. NF 8/3/29: Staup, Captain to Voyron, , 7 April 1896.Google Scholar

65 DAOM Mad. 2 Z 361: Oudri, Colonel to Voyron, 8 April 1896Google Scholar, and ‘Rapport du Général Oudri’, 8 May 1896Google Scholar. The translation from the Malagasy is mine.

66 Ambodirano was the scene of an unsuccessful rising in November 1895.Google Scholar

67 DAOM Mad. 2 Z 361: Oudri, to Voyron, , 8 April 1896.Google Scholar

68 SHA, Mad. AF 26: Oudri, to ministre de la guerre, 25 August 1896.Google Scholar

69 Laroche papers: Besson, to Laroche, , 4 and 12 June 1896Google Scholar, quoted in part in Pascal, R., ‘Les rapports de quinzaine’, pt. 1, Bull, de Madag. ccxlv (October 1966), 951Google Scholar, note 1.

70 ANSOM MAD 215 (445): Besson, to Gallieni, 24 November 1896Google Scholar, annexe no. 6 to Gallieni's report of 13 December 1896.Google Scholar

71 Lyautey papers, a. cl. 35: Besson, to Lyautey, , 26 June 1903.Google Scholar

72 DAOM Mad. 2 Z 386, ‘Journal de la résidence de Betafo’, entries for 4 and 8 June 1896Google Scholar; Laroche papers: Besson, to Laroche, , 4 June 1896Google Scholar. See also the extracts from the Norsk Missionstidende translated into French in enclosures with Hanotaux to Lebon, 31 July 1896Google Scholar, ANSOM MAD 348 (931).

73 There are menalamba letters scattered in several archives in France and Madagascar, but the main collections are in DAOM Mad. 6 (2) D 3, and in the Archives de la République Malgache (ARM), Tananarive, series NN91. Both consist mostly of letters captured from Rabozaka towards the end of 1897.

74 Laroche papers: Rafaralahimanavanana to Rainiketamanga and others, 19 Asorotany 1896Google Scholar (French translation).

75 For example, DAOM Mad. 6 (2) D3: Ranjiva, to Ramahamay (Rabozaka), 12 Alahasaty 1896.Google Scholar

76 DAOM Mad. 2 Z 387: Alby, to Laroche, , 31 August 1896.Google Scholar

77 On Rainijirika, Laroche papers: note by résident-inspecteur Pradon, 5 September 1896Google Scholar. On Ramenamaso, , Savaron, Mes souvenirs, 216–17.Google Scholar

78 For example, ARM NN 91: Ralaifanenitra to Ramasoandromahamay (Rabozaka), 22 Adizaoza 1896.Google Scholar

79 ‘Proclamation d'un chef rebelle du Cercle d'Ambatomanga’, no date, annexe no. 2 to Gallieni's report of 13 December 1896, ANSOM MAD 215 (445).

80 There is a play on words between ‘Farantsay’ (‘French’) and ‘Fara-tay’ (literally, ‘the last excrement’). The menalamba often used this insulting pun.

81 It was a common belief among the rebels that the old prime minister, Rainilaiarivony, had been killed by the French. In fact he died of natural causes in exile in Algiers.

82 Cf. Chapus, G. S. and Ratsimba, E., Histoire des Rois (4 vols., Paris, 1953–1958), iv, 345Google Scholar. This is the French translation of Père Callet's Tantaran' ny Andriana. I am grateful to Françoise Raison for supplying this reference and also for drawing my attention to the influence of The Pilgrim's Progress.

83 Ellis, W., The Martyr Church: a Narrative of the Introduction, Progress and Triumph of Christianity in Madagascar (London, 1870), p. 107.Google Scholar

84 DAOM Mad. 6 (4) D 16,‘dossier Peill’: proclamation by Rabezavana, , 12 November 1896.Google Scholar

85 There is a fine discussion of the Merina concept of political authority in Delivré, A., L'histoire des rois d'Imerina (Paris, 1974), 139–74.Google Scholar

86 Raison, F., ‘Les ramanenjana’, Asie du sud-est et le monde insulindien, vii, ii-iii (1976), 271–93Google Scholar. Delval, R., Radama II, prince de la renaissance malgache (Paris, 1972), 732–918Google Scholar, provides evidence that Radama 11 really did lead the insurgents of 1863Google Scholar. Raison's, Madame view is the more convincing because the rebels of 1863Google Scholar, like those of 1896 and 1947, probably needed to believe that their movement was supported by a legitimate authority.

87 DAOM Mad. 2 Z 105, kabary of Queen Ranavalona II, June 1877Google Scholar (French translation). ‘Je sais que les fauteurs de troubles mettent mon nom en avant pour entraîner lesgens à leur suite. Ils mentent; ce sont des ennemis de moi et du royaume eux et ceux quiles écoutent; ils seront punis comme rebelles.’

88 Tronchon, J., L'insurrection malgache de 1947 (Paris, 1974), 82–118.Google Scholar

89 DAOM Mad. 6 (2) D 3: Ramialanenina, to Ramasoandromahamay, (Rabozaka), 10 Adimizana 1896Google Scholar; ARM NN91: Ralaifanenitra, to Ramasoandromahamay, (Rabozaka), 8 Asorotany 1896.Google Scholar

90 Lyautey papers, a. cl. 445: ‘Patriote 16e honneur’ to Rabezavana, 18 July 1896Google Scholar (French translation). Added doubt is attached to the authorship of the letter by the pencilled notes in the margin. By the signature an unknown hand (Lyautey?) has written ‘Randriamampandry’ [sic]. In the margin is written ‘lettre de Randriamampandry—est-ce copie ou de mémoire?’.

91 Gautier, Notably, Trois Héros, 132–3.Google Scholar

92 There is an incomplete list of such casualties in Laroche, to Lebon, 10 July 1896, printed in Pascal, pt. IV, p. 89Google Scholar, note 1.

93 For some examples, see ‘Notice concernant la région d'Andriamena’, no date, DAOM Mad. 6 (9) D 27; archives of the London Missionary Society (LMS), London, Madagascar incoming letters 26/2/A: Sibree, to Thompson, , 22 April 1896Google Scholar; DAOM Mad. 6 (2) D 3: Rainimafana, and others to Ramasoandromahamay (Rabozaka), 19 Asombola 1896.Google Scholar

94 Decree of Ranavalona III, 22 August 1896Google Scholar, DAOM Mad. 6 (10) D 1. On Rainandriamampandry's wealth, ‘Exécution du Ministre de l'Intérieur et du Prince Ratsimamanga’, Laroche papers.

95 The comparison with the Dreyfus affair is an interesting one. The issues at stake between pro-and anti-military factions were similar in both cases. Laroche in chapter XV of his unpublished memoirs makes specific allusion to Dreyfus. It is ironic that one of the original charges against Dreyfus was that he had sold plans for the organization of the Madagascar expedition of 1894–5!

96 Matthews, T. T. (trans.), ‘Among the Fahavalo: perils and adventures of a prisoner for fourteen months in the rebel camp’, Antananarivo Annual, vi (1897), 80–93.Google Scholar

97 Berthier papers: Penel to Laroche, 3–4 August 1896.Google Scholar

98 DAOM Mad. 6 (4) D 52: Besson, to Gallieni, , 10 February 1899.Google Scholar

99 Tronchon, , L'insurrection malgache, p. 24.Google Scholar

100 The main protestant archives relating to the religious troubles are the LMS (London) and the Société des Missions Evangéliques (Paris). See also DAOM 6 (4) D 50–1. The Jesuit archives, which represent the catholic view, are surprisingly thin for this period.

101 Matthews, , Thirty Years, 324.Google Scholar

102 Le Myre de Vilers papers, dossier 29: Gallieni to Le Myre de Vilers, passim.

103 Cf. Fenard, G., Les indigènes fonctionnaires à Madagascar (Paris, 1939), 239–40Google Scholar; Deschamps, H., Les migrations intérieures à Madagascar (Paris, 1959), 90Google Scholar; Archer, R., Madagascar depuis 1972 (Paris, 1976)Google Scholar, passim.