CHAPTER VII 
POLITICS AND RELIGION 
Sharp lines of separation between the different classes 
of society have developed themselves in the Malay 
element of the population of the island. The lowest 
caste is that of the slaves, but it must be remarked that 
slavery possesses a certain patriarchal stamp among the 
Hova and has thus universally preserved a relatively 
mild character. The slave often conducts himself with 
greater freedom in the family than is permitted to 
European servants, and rough treatment seldom falls to 
his lot. As to its origin, slavery is to be traced back 
to different sources; first there are prisoners taken in 
war, dating from the times when the Hova carried on 
cruel raids to strengthen their rule; the males of 
the conquered tribes were relentlessly put to death, 
the women and children were carried off as slaves 
(andevo) to the Central Province. Others who are 
designated Zaza-Hova are of the same origin as the 
Hova, but have been condemned to slavery for crimes 
or debt. 
The second caste embraces the free citizens—the Hova 
in the narrower sense of the word. Their higher position 
is expressed in social life by the custom that they make 
their slaves carry their things for them when they go 
out, and that when acting as soldiers they frequently get 
even their muskets and lances carried for them in the 
campaign. The government is entitled to exact from 
them all kinds of forced labour, for which they only re¬ 
ceive payment in exceptional cases. Many of the citizens 
