HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
CHAP. IV. 
Province of Ankova—Meaning of the name—The chief divisions of the 
province, Imerina—Its general aspect—Elevation of its mountains—Relics 
of antiquity—Objects of superstitious veneration—Salubrity of Ankova 
—Produce of the country—Subdivisions or clans, Voro-mahery, Imamo, 
Vonizongo—Tomb of Rapeto—Peculiarities of the inhabitants of An¬ 
kova— Account of Tananarivo, the capital of the island—Its geo¬ 
graphical situation—Its elevation above the level of the sea—Import of 
the name—Population of Tananarivo—Dwellings of the people—Con¬ 
struction of their houses—Divisions in the capital—Public thorough¬ 
fares—The palace—The silver house—The throne of the kingdom—Site 
of the tombs of the reigning family — Antsahatsiroa, place of public 
assembly—The Tarpeian rock of Tananarivo—The several places of 
execution—Market—Central school and chapel — Mission buildings— 
Burial-ground for strangers—Country residences of the king—State of 
the public roads—Remains of ancient fortifications. 
Ankova,* the country or province of the Hovas, is the 
most important province in the island of Madagascar. 
Its inhabitants are more numerous, industrious, ingenious, 
and wealthy, than those of any other part of the country. 
It is the centre of the empire, the seat of the government, 
and the scene of the principal efforts hitherto made in the 
country, to introduce education, European improvements, 
arts and sciences, and to promote civilization. Its climate 
* Ankova is a compound word, formed of Any and Hova. Any is an 
adverb of place, signifying there, and a preposition signifying at. In com¬ 
position, the final y is dropped. Hova is the name of the people. It is 
sometimes spelt without the h, as Ova; but more correctly with the h, 
breathed very softly. It is changed into k, in composition, after n, gratia 
euphonies, An-kova, for Any-hova—there, at the place of the Hovas, the 
country of the Hovas. 
