HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
287 
quently have their hair braided, and arranged in such a 
manner as to present a beautiful and elegant appearance, 
being formed into a large number of knots and ringlets, 
which are tastefully arranged in rows, circles, or sections, 
and richly supplied with valuable unguents. There are 
ten or twelve different modes of plaiting, and of arranging 
the plaits, having their distinctive names. A difference 
is sometimes, though very rarely, observed between mar¬ 
ried and unmarried women, in this part of their personal 
ornament; the former wearing their hair twisted up, and 
secured on the top of the head, while the latter allow it to 
flow negligently over the shoulders. 
The European method of cutting and wearing the hair 
was introduced only in the year 1822, when the king, being 
disposed to adopt the fashion, tried it first upon one of his 
brothers. The people were astonished at so novel an 
occurrence; but when, in the course of two or three days, 
the king himself was seen to have parted with his plaits 
and curls, the mere dressing of which had sometimes 
occupied three days, they were silenced, and, whatever 
they thought, none durst express their dissatisfaction. The 
example of the monarch made the measure popular, and 
scissors and combs were in universal demand. The army 
and scholars were allowed to follow the European custom, 
but the rest were still compelled to retain the native mode, 
and these badges of distinction still remain. About a fort¬ 
night after this change in the mode of wearing the hair 
had been introduced, a circumstance of a tragical nature 
occurred in connexion with it, which, as it illustrates the 
character of the people, may not be unworthy of a place in 
their history. 
Against the above public innovations, a spirit of daring 
opposition was evinced by a number of females in a neigh- 
