HISTORY OK MADAGASCAR. 
131 
their peculiar characters with those of the native inha¬ 
bitants. The lineaments of European features, occasionally 
observable in the countenances of the Betsimisaraka and 
the Betanimena, may probably have been derived from 
this early intercourse of the natives with Europeans. 
In the province of Matitanana, the Arabs, who for cen¬ 
turies past have been accustomed to trade with the Mala¬ 
gasy, have their principal settlements; and this province is 
the chief residence of the people designated Zafindramina, 
descendants of the mother of Mahomet, from Zafy, descend¬ 
ants, and Amina, for cc Imana,” the mother of the prophet. 
It is supposed that at some remote period, a number of 
Arabs, followers of the Prophet, settled in Matitanana, and, 
by intermarrying with the natives, became amalgamated 
with the original population, but gave to the descendants 
the distinctive name which they still bear. The Betsi¬ 
misaraka is composed of the Zafibirihama, the Zafindramina 
blended with the aborigines of Matitanana and the adjacent 
provinces. This may account for the lightness of their 
colour, and the number of distinguished chiefs that have 
risen up among them. Without specifying others, we may 
mention the late Jean Rene, Fisatra, and Prince Corroller, 
who were of the race of the Zafindramina. 
The Bezanozano, “anarchical,” are the next tribe 
that requires notice. They are not numerous, yet seem to 
be totally distinct from the Betsimisaraka on the one hand, 
and the Hovas on the other. They are not tall, but re¬ 
markably stout; their neck is short, their bust full, their 
colour black, their features fiat, their hair occasionally 
curly, but most frequently approaching to the frizzly or 
crisped appearance. Their joints are stiff, and their move¬ 
ments heavy: they are considered the best coolies, or 
bearers of burdens, in the country. They exhibit many 
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