HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
361 
of twelve months, and an additional day to each month 
which is supposed to precede the first day of the new moon. 
The ceremonies commence on the day after the termination 
of the last month in the year, and are continued through a 
great part of the night and of the next or new year’s day. 
The design of the feast appears to be simply the celebra¬ 
tion of the new year. 
For about a week previous to the commencement of the 
general ceremonies, the sovereign and royal family abstain 
from all animal food. On the day before the Fandroana, 
many of the principal people crowd towards the palace- 
yard with presents for the king as voluntary donations, and 
as expressions of joy in the anticipation of the new year. 
These presents consist of fuel, mats, silver, charms, &c. 
The hasina is always paid in money. 
About sunset, on the eve of the new year, the sovereign, 
who presides as priest during all the ceremonies, having 
entered the royal house, called Mahitsy, there sacrifices 
a cock, intimating that the blood of this animal is the last 
shed in the year, and that with it thanksgivings are offered 
for the past twelve months, and blessings supplicated for 
the next. From this place, decorated with a splendid scarlet 
robe, and accompanied by his guard, the king proceeds to 
the lapa, or house called Besakana. At this time the whole 
country is illuminated. Every village, every hut, has its 
torch or bonfire, which may be seen from the capital to 
the distance of thirty miles or upwards. 
The king having entered Besakana, and taken his seat, 
the several members of the royal family take theirs also, 
according to precedence. He then retires to the north¬ 
east part of the house, which is partitioned off for the 
occasion, where he bathes, exclaiming, with laughter 
and vivacity, that the water is cold. On coming out of 
