422 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
to prepare themselves, and proceed to Andohalo, where the 
great national assembly was to be held. At half-past ten 
in the forenoon, the drums and trumpets called the military 
to their appointed stations; and at twelve o’clock the 
beating of drums and the flourishing of trumpets called the 
generals and first military officers in the northern court 
opposite the Tranavola, (Silver-palace,) and directed the 
crowd on Andohalo to hold themselves in readiness to 
receive their queen. 
As soon as the first officers had assembled, orders were 
issued to lieutenant-colonel Benea (master of the band) 
to enter through the northern gate at the head of the first 
royal band (taught at Mauritius) and 300 of the grenadiers 
of the town-division of the army wearing the uniform of 
British grenadiers. The generals then proceeded into the 
southern court-yard, and stood opposite the royal dwelling- 
house called Fohiloha (low roof,) to receive her majesty, and 
to conduct her to the tomb of Andriamasinavalona, the 
father of Radama. The queen then leaving the palace, 
walked to the tomb; and its door on the south-west corner 
being opened, she took into her hands the flags of the idols 
Manjakatsiroa and Fan taka; the former the idol of the 
sovereign, the latter the idol of the oaths offered up a 
short prayer to Andriamasinavalona, and having returned 
* Each of the flags of these idols is made of two oval slips of superfine 
scarlet cloth, which are fastened to a light staff coloured black and white. 
At the upper end of the staff of Manjakatsiroa, and under the ends of the 
scarlet cloth, is a beautiful cornelian stone, about the size of a pigeon’s 
egg, called Arana, and another green stone of a diamond figure, called 
Andriantsiriry, and under these stones is a silver chain of six links, or rings, 
which constitute the essence of the great idol Manjakitsiroa. But the idol 
Fantaka has only a silver chain covered by the scarlet cloth, and attached 
to the upper end of the staff. 
