HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
347 
of the bullock which is still, in commemoration of his 
decision, set apart for the monarch at the great annual 
festival of the new year. The descendants, both of the 
eldest and the second sons of Ralambo, seem to have been 
people of high rank, holding many privileges. The dis¬ 
trict occupied by those of the eldest son is still called 
Ambohimalaza, i. e. 66 the illustrious village.” Both these 
clans or castes have certain privileges, which they main¬ 
tain with extreme tenacity. They only are allowed to 
perform the ceremony of burying kings and nobles. 
Another chief of importance was Andriamasinavalona, 
king of Tananarive, who first reduced under his authority 
the whole province of Imerina. This chieftain had twelve 
sons. He first instituted the custom of each monarch 
having twelve wives; and his descendants, who are reputed 
to be of royal blood to the present day, possess various 
privileges, amongst the principal of which is the liberty of 
intermarrying with the royal family. 
The nobles, or Andriambaventy, rank next to the mem¬ 
bers of the royal family. These are also the judges. 
Their number is not fixed, but usually there are about 
twelve residing at the capital. Their business is to hear 
causes, and decide by what appears to them the equity of 
the case. In important affairs their decision is taken to 
the sovereign, whose word is final. They are also employed 
in delivering messages from the sovereign to the people. 
This duty always devolved on them, prior to the formation 
of the army upon the European model. After that period, 
Radama sometimes sent communications through the 
medium of a military officer of high rank. In this he 
might have two objects; one, to diminish the authority and 
importance of the nobles; and the other, to elevate the 
character and flatter the vanity of his military officers. 
