458 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR, 
CHAP. XVII. 
Trial by ordeal in Madagascar—Uncertainty respecting its origin—Various 
modes practised in different parts of the island—General use of the tan- 
gena—Description of the fruit—Cases in which the tangena is employed 
—Manner of preferring an accusation among the inhabitants of the inte¬ 
rior—Preparations for drinking the poison—Translation of the invocation 
or curse used in its administration—Copious use of rice-water—Appear¬ 
ances regarded as indicating innocence or guilt—Summary death in case 
of the latter—Ceremonies attending an acquittal—Mode and effects of 
administering the poison-water on the coast—Cases in which it is ad¬ 
ministered to animals and fowls—Motives by which the natives are induced 
to employ it—Anecdotes illustrating the fallacy of its decisions—Probable 
number destroyed by the poison—Notice of witchcraft among the Mala¬ 
gasy—Singular instance of its influence recorded by Drury—General 
dread of sorcery—Terrible death inflicted on those supposed to be guilty 
of it. 
The custom of trial by ordeal prevails extensively in Ma¬ 
dagascar. Of the period when first introduced, no idea can 
be formed. It probably came with the original settlers in 
the island. Various modes have been in use in different 
parts of the country, and possibly may still be at some dis¬ 
tance from the capital; such as passing a red-hot iron over 
the tongue, or plunging the naked arm into a large earthen 
or iron pot full of boiling water, and picking out a pebble 
thrown in for the special purpose of the trial; and in either 
case, to sustain no injury would be a demonstration of 
innocence. 
The practice which has obtained most generally, and has 
in fact superseded other modes in most of the conquered 
provinces, is that which is called the Tangena. 
