HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
259 
wholly superfluous, they generally propose some kind of 
inquiry which a stranger to their habits would regard as 
impertinent. Their forms of salutation vary with the 
different occasions on which they are called forth. 
On meeting upon the road, one man would say to another, 
“ Sara, sara tsy ambaka,” which is an assurance that no fraud 
is intended. Females sometimes use the same expressions; 
but there are forms peculiar to the sex, which it is deemed 
more correct for them to adhere to. A variety of questions 
then follow, such as, Whence are you from ? Whither are 
you going? all which are generally answered in the most 
vague and indefinite manner, as. From the north ; or, Going 
yonder, to the east. 
On returning after a long absence, it is customary to 
say, “Tongava soamantsara“Have you arrived safely 
and well ?’ “ Tahin andriamanitra, azo ny saotra nareo 
“ Blessed of God, your blessing (or benediction) is obtained.” 
The questions as to the object of the journey then become 
more minute, and the answers more vague, as if intended 
to baffle rather than allay the curiosity of the inquirer. 
In that part of the island where Drury was a captive, he 
states that the usual form of salutation from wives to their 
husbands, and from slaves or vassals to their chiefs, was to 
crawl upon the ground and lick their feet, on their return 
home from battle or from a journey. 
In ordinary intercourse, on first entering a house, a person 
is usually asked if he has arrived; to which, of course, he 
answers in the affirmative. He is then asked to come in 
with the charge to the inmates: “Behold, spread a mat 
for the stranger!” Having entered, the usual salutations 
pass; and then the stranger asks, How are the family? We 
are even here, the family, even all well. To which is answered, 
Veloma,—“ live !” 
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