Queen Ranavalona: The First Amazing Queen of Madagascar
One of Africa’s most progressive monarchs, Queen Ranavalona (or Ramavo), was a leader in a number of innovative fields. Throughout her reign as Madagascar’s first queen, she worked to free her country from European dependence. While she reigned for 33 years, Queen Ranavalona had several difficulties. She also did a lot to advance Madagascar’s economy and political system.
She was the daughter of Prince Andriantsalamanjaka and Princess Rabodonandriantompo and was born in 1778 as Princess Ramavo. Although she was still a child, her father warned King Andrianampoinimerina of an assassination attempt. After Prince Andriantsalamanjaka saved the king’s life, King Radama pledged that his son, Prince Ramavo, would wed her.
He also said that if they had a kid, the child would be first in line for the throne after Radama. Radama and Ramavo tied the knot, but theirs was an unhappy, childless union. Prince Radama became king after the death of his father and, in accordance with royal tradition, had numerous prospective opponents, including some of his wife’s family, put to death.
Because of this, Ramavo’s marriage became even more strained, and she eventually met David Griffiths, a Welsh missionary, with whom she developed a close bond that lasted more than three decades.
Becoming Queen Ranavalona
Rakotobe, King Radama’s nephew, succeeded to the throne upon Radama’s death on July 27, 1828. For several days, nobody let on about Radama’s passing. Nevertheless, once a powerful military commander found out, he joined forces with others to help Ramavo seize power.
The officers concealed Ramavo until they could muster the backing of various influential individuals, including judges and the armed forces. On August 11, 1828, Ramavo announced her succession to the throne as her husband’s because, she claimed, Radama had ordered it.
Ramavo adopted the name Ranavalona, which means folded or set aside, upon becoming queen. A number of Ranavalona’s prospective opponents, including members of Radama’s family, were put to death by the queen, much as her husband had done. On June 12, 1829, she was formally crowned queen.
The Reign Of Queen Ranavalona
Throughout her 33-year reign, Queen Ranavalona worked to increase Madagascar’s cultural and political independence. It was early in her rule that she separated Madagascar from the sway of the French and British, who had hoped to occupy the island.
She accomplished this by severing ties with the British and outlawing Christianity in the Madagascar nation. She also limited the work of the London Missionary Society, whose missionaries had been teaching natives literacy and trade skills.
As a result of her efforts, almost all foreigners had fled her land by 1835. Because Madagascar was so far away from other countries, Queen Ranavalona made changes to help the country become self-sufficient economically.
Fanompoana, a practice that goes back hundreds of years and replaces forced labor with tax payments, was a key part of making this happen. During her reign, she anointed her son Radama II as the next king. Sleeping in her bed in the Manjakamiadana palace, Queen Ranavalona passed away on August 16, 1861.