HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR, 
119 
They have been in the habit also of wandering or fleeing 
from one part of the country to another, when pursued 
by an enemy more powerful than themselves, and settling 
where there was the greatest prospect of safety, just as 
the remains of the Vazimba, the original inhabitants of 
Ankova, now reside between the Imania and the Imanam- 
bolo, in Menabe. A greater approximation to general 
amalgamation will be perceived in the course of a few years, 
from the constant residence of the Hova troops at distant * 
parts, in military stations on different parts of the island, 
as most of these troops either intermarry with the women 
of the provinces, or live with them in a far less honourable 
state. The chief divisions, already referred to, we now 
proceed to notice; both as they regard the people them¬ 
selves, and the portions of the country they respectively 
occupy. 
Geographically considered, the Sakalavas, with whom 
we commence, are divided into two great sections, North 
and South Sakalavas : the first includes the inhabitants of 
Iboina in the north, and Ambongo in tbe north-west; the 
latter, those of Menabe in the west and south-west, extend¬ 
ing on the west side of the island to Firenenana, which 
continues to the south of St. Augustine’s Bay. This 
extensive region is sometimes called the Sakalava country. 
A mixture of the Sakalavas and Betsileo inhabit the regions 
to the south of Firenenana, embracing the southern extre¬ 
mity of the island. 
By some the Bezanozano, a small tribe, chiefly inhabiting 
Ankay, situated on the south-east of Ankova, are consi¬ 
dered as a branch of the Sakalavas. The Antsianaka, 
inhabiting the province of the same name, to the north of 
Ankova, are also considered as belonging to this nation, 
which includes the black races of Madagascar. 
