Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 4.djvu/540

 442 SOUTH AND EASTT AFWCA. thomsolves would seem to indicate a diverse origin of the Hovus. due no doubt to repeated arrivals from the Eust. At the same time all these eastern invaders, whether Sundanese, Samoans, Siamese, or Japanese, may ba regarded as belonging to the same family of mankind, at least when compared with the immigrants from Africa. In the middle of the seventeenth century, when the islund was first described bv Flacourt, the Hovas were still unknown as a separate nationality, or else con- founded, under other names, with the neighbouring tribes. In fact the " Oves " do not make their appearance in history till the second half of the eighteenth century, when they regained their independence from the Sakalavas, and when the present Ilova kingdom was founded by their chief, the "Lord who lives in the heart of Imerina." At that time the natives of the plateaux called themselves Ambanilamtra, that is to say, " People living under the heavens," or else Amba- uimulro, that is " People living under the light of day." These names they had adopted either because their country, Imeriuu, was for them the whole world, or beciuse it occupied the elevated upland regions above the surrounding low-lying coastlands. Even still the term Horn is applied only to the middle classes, the nobles taking the designation of Andnatm, while the slaves are collectively known either as Mainti or Andero. But at present the various conquered peoples affect the name of " Hovas," in order thus to identify themselves with the dominant races ; while the still unreduced tribes scornfully attribute to the inhabitants of Imerina the opprobrious epithet of Ainboalamho, or " Swine-dogs," which, however, is said to have b^en formerly taken in a complimentary sense. Thus the populations collectively grouped as Hovas increase both by the con- tinual reduction of neighbouring tribes and by the natural excess of births over deaths, which is considerable in these mountainous regions, where the women are very prolific. Owing to this increase, colonies of Hovas are constantly being founded in various parts of the island at great distances from their native plateau, but especially in the region north of Lake Alaotra, Travellers, for the most part English and French, differ greatly in their estimate of the llova character, a circumstance which must be attributed not only to the prejudices of political rivalry, but also to the differences in the social cla.s8es themselves with whom they have come in contact. Naturally the greatest contrasts are found to exist between the inhabitants of the large towns, and espe- cially of the capital, and those of the rural districts. The former have to live in an atmosphere of court intrigues, to temporize and tack about, so as to avoid giving offence to any of the rival parties, and thus preserve their influence, and even their lives. They thus become astute diplomatists, past-masters in the arts of deceit and cajolery ; while the latter, peaceful tillers of the land, have preserved the national virtues of courtesy, friendliness, and hospitality. The»peasantry are as a rule very industrious, kind to their wives and children, and much attached to " the land of their forefathers." They are no doubt accused by the foreign traders of being eager for gain, and inclined to drive hard bargains ; but this is a charge which the natives may justly fling back on their accusers. *