POPULATION 
83 
Grandfather and grandmother are expressed by the almost 
literal translation raibe [be — great) and renibe. Other 
relationships are either not indicated at all or are expressed 
by a circumlocution. 
The Malagasy have no family names, which often 
makes it very difficult to distinguish between the numer¬ 
ous persons of the same name. Names of plants and 
animals are used at pleasure as proper names, the syl¬ 
lable Ra being generally prefixed. Many names sound 
quite poetical and are uncommonly long—as Ravoninahi- 
triniarivo (literally: “Thousand blossoms of the grass”); 
on the other hand, they have a liking for thoroughly 
ugly names such as Rafirmga^ Rabetay^ and it would be 
somewhat droll if we had to translate these names and 
address those to whom they belong as “Mr. Dunghill” 
or “Mr. Muchdung.” Biblical names are also in frequent 
use, as well as European proper names, and to these the 
syllable Ra is prefixed: thus from Joseph, Andrew, are 
formed Rajosefa^ Rajiandresa, It is considered impolite 
to utter the name of the sovereign. When a child is 
named, the parents give up their former names and call 
themselves after their offspring, the father prefixing the 
name raini (father of), the mother reni (mother of). Thus if 
the father’s name is Rakoto and he gives his daughter 
the name of Rasoa after her birth, he becomes Rainisoa 
(Soa’s Father) and the mother Renisoa (Soa’s Mother). 
On entering office rulers always take a new name. 
Since the royal family of Madagascar surrendered their 
power to the French this custom has of course fallen 
into abeyance. Among the Sakalava the strange custom 
prevails that the name of the sovereign is no longer 
used after his death, but his memory is perpetuated by 
a special posthumous name. 
Circumcision is generally practised in Madagascar, but in 
none of the tribes has it any religious signification. 
Before Christianity was introduced among the Hova this 
