HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
325 
In Ankova, the looms, which are extremely simple, are 
placed so low in the floor, as to leave scarcely more than four 
or five inches between the warp and the ground. Treadles 
are not used in the interior, but on the coast it is common 
to have both looms and treadles worked with the feet, so 
as to open the warp after the manner of the Europeans. 
When the thread is ready, the Hovas warp it by 
driving four pieces of wood firmly into the ground, and 
wind the thread around two of them, and between the 
other two, according to the pattern laid before them. 
Having finished this process, they tie together the threads 
of the several colours which form the pattern, and remove 
it into the loom, or put it up in a basket, until required. 
If the warping be for common white cloth, it is easily 
done; but if it be for diamond or coloured work, great 
attention is required in counting and changing the different 
threads. 
The Malagasy loom is very simple in its construction, 
consisting of two strong pieces of wood, rounded on the 
side over which the threads of the warp are passed. These 
pieces are called voditenona, or ends of the warp. They 
are made of the branches of the rofia, and are put through 
the warp in order to stretch it out at both ends. One of 
these pieces of wood is passed through the warp at each 
end, and fastened to posts in the floor. They are drawn 
nearer together, or removed further apart, by cords tied 
to posts, two of which are driven firmly into the ground 
at each end. By this means the weaver can tighten or 
slacken the warp, drawing up towards her what is done, 
and bringing the remainder nearer as the progress of the 
work may require. 
The shuttle used by the Malagasy weaver is a piece of 
round stick, pointed at one end for the purpose of being 
