456 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
The opening of Alahasaty is deemed very bad, especially 
from midnight to cock-crowing in the morning. Children 
born this day are to be put to death. Such, at least, is 
the rule of the panandro. A faditra is, however, some¬ 
times offered, especially if the child be not born within 
the time from midnight to cock-crowing, or should the 
parents and relations be fond of the babe. Then the voa 
mainty, (or seed of bret,) is offered as a faditra, or a 
voa-lefo-maty, i, e., a seed which has become rotten. 
Generally, fear would preponderate; the gloomy predic¬ 
tion is, the child would become pamosavy, and he would 
rise in rebellion against his sovereign, his father, and his 
mother; and to avert the evil, the infant must be suffo¬ 
cated or buried alive. 
The opening of the ninth month is extremely unlucky. 
It is the vintana of the sovereign, and any one born on 
that day would rebel against his parents, relations, and 
friends. 
The vava of the eleventh month predicts grief and sor¬ 
rows. The faditra consists of the sap of a tree, called the 
grief or tear of the Takatra. 
The last month is all good. 
The days which are leaped over, as intervening between 
the close of one month and the commencement of another, 
are considered good. 
Should a child be bom to a slave of the sovereign, or 
even to any member of his family, or even to himself, on 
the vava of Asorotany, or of Alakaosy, it must be put to 
death. If belonging to any one else, a faditra may be 
offered, and the child suffered to live. 
The vava of Alakarabo is the day of seeds; it is con¬ 
sidered good for planting and sowing. The produce will 
be great. 
