THE ARAB IMMIGRATION INTO SOUTH-EAST MADAGASCAR. 335 
never been strong enough to materially influence the social 
distinctions; nor has there yet been discovered any tribe 
which is so completely African, either in language or 
physique, as to leave no doubt in the minds of those who 
have studied them closely as to this theory of their western 
origin. 
But, strange to say, while the African element has been 
merged completely into the other tribes, because of the small 
amount of immigration, and this mostly of slaves, and so 
wanting the power to make their individuality felt as a 
separate and distinct community, the Arab is a powerful and 
unique factor in Malagasy sociology. His influence has been 
felt in the language strongly enough to dictate the names 
for the days of the week, the months, and, where such exist, 
the names of the years, not to mention other words unmis- 
takably Arabic in origin.* He has been, and still is in a 
more limited degree, the importer of slave labour into the 
island, his form of boat bemg the most common in such 
places as are inhabited by those bold and daring enough to 
venture out to sea. He has been met with in many outlying 
and unfrequented spots settled down as a trader, thriving 
upon the dulness and inertness of the coast tribes, and 
* Days of the week :--- 
Sunday Alahady Al-ahadu. 
Monday Alatsinainy Al-itznani. 
Tuesday ... Talata Atz-tzalatzatt (El-t’late) Mod-Ar. 
Wednesday... Alarobia Al-arba’atu. 
Thursday Alakamisy Al-chamisu. 
Friday Zoma Al-dschunvatu. 
Saturday Asabotsy As-sabtu. 
Months of the year, derived from the names of the?constellation of the 
Zodiac .— 
Mr. Dahle’s identifications. 
1. Alahamady Al-hamalu = Aries. 
2. Adaoro Atz-tzauru = Taurus. 
3. Adizaoza Al-dsehauza’u = Gemini. 
4. Asorotany As-saratanu = Cancer. 
5. Alahasaty Al-asadu = Leo major. 
6. Asombola As-sunbulu = Spica in Virgo. 
7. Adimizana Al-mizanu = Libra. 
8. Alakarabo Al-aqrabu = Scorpio. 
9. Alakaosy Al-qausu = Arcus and Sagittarius. 
10. Adijady Al-dsehadiu = Capricornus. 
i. “Adalo’ .., Ad-dalvu = Aquarius. 
12. Alohotsy Al-hutu = Pisces. 
