HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
405 
Ambohimanga. The village itself does not consist of 
above a hundred houses, built upon a steep hill, and inter¬ 
sected by deep and numerous moats. The idol is kept in 
a house at the western extremity of the village, which is 
separated from the other part by a steep hady or fosse. 
No stranger is suffered to approach this house, lest the 
virtue of the charms and the powers of the idol should be 
injured. 
With regard to the origin of this idol, it is said, that 
about ninety or a hundred years ago a person professed to 
have an excellent charm, by which he could prevent and 
cure diseases. The chieftain of the district having obtained 
information of this wonderful charm, sent a person who 
was ill, In order that its efficacy might be put to the test. 
According to report, it proved efficacious, and the man 
recovered. The charm became renowned throughout the 
district, and in process of time rose to the reputation and 
dignity of a god, and was designated Mahavaly—“ able to 
answer.” 
The Fady in prohibited articles of Ramahavaly, like 
those of Rakelimalaza, are, the meat of animals killed at 
funerals and at ordeals; or when the guardian enters the 
residence of the idol, sitting with his feet towards the 
north-east corner of the house. He also most strictly 
forbids the killing of serpents. 
It would scarcely be expected that a chief and a judge, 
devoted to idol-worship, would be the strenuous advocate for 
a school at the idol’s village. Such, however, was the fact, 
in 1824, from whatever motive it originated. Mr. Griffiths 
was visiting some schools in the neighbourhood, and while 
passing the foot of the hill was met by the Farantsa of 
Ambohitany, sent to him by Andriamahary, to urge him to 
come up and converse with him upon the subject of esta- 
