49 
CHAP. V. 
Of the different Classes—The Zafe Rahimini—Their 
Subdivisions — Origin—Indigenous Blacks — Subdivi¬ 
sions—Origin of the Aborigines . 
According to the most authentic accounts, the 
inhabitants of Madagascar consist of three distinct 
races; each of which are easily discernible, notwith¬ 
standing their continual intermixtures. 
The first is that of the Whites, who inhabit the 
provinces of Anossi and Matatane, and who assert that 
they are descended from Imina, the mother of 
Mahomet, and they are in consequence called Zafe 
Rahimini.* 
The second, inhabiting the Isle of St. Mary, and 
the country round Foule Point and the Bay of 
Antongil, are called Zafe Hibrahim, or descendants 
of Abraham, who also are whites. 
The third race comprises the Indigenous Blacks, 
who are to be considered as the aborigines. 
The Zafe Rahimini are of Arabian extraction. 
* Those whites who live in Matatane are all magicians, 
and are called Ombiasses. They have public schools for the 
purpose of teaching necromancy—they are also the writers and 
historians of Madagascar. They make use of the Arabic 
character, and teach both reading and writing in that language. 
E 
