The children of Madagascar / by Herbert F. Standing.

  • Herbert Standing
Date:
1887
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The children of Madagascar / by Herbert F. Standing. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    42/182 (page 40)
    Sometimes the relatives seem quite at a loss for a new name, and so apparently call the child anything that happens to come into their heads or to take their fancy ; thus we meet occasionally with such names as Rubbish, Snail, Pumpkin, Szveet Potato, Goldfish, Drygrass, Cannon. Other names, again, were evidently given at first as nick- names, but have 'stuck,' as the Malagasy say ; and their owner now is generally known by no other; thus a palanquin-bearer, who was staying with our family during a holiday spent at the edge of the forest, was called by his companions ' Mr. Standfire ;' and on asking the reason for this, we found that it was because he was able to swallow his rice while it was still almost boiling hot. Since the introduction of Christianity a considerable number of Bible names have been adopted by the Malagasy, and have now become quite naturalised. Thus Rajaona (John), Rajemisa (James), Rasamoely or Rasamoelina (Samuel), are now among the commonest Hova names. But the Malagasy seem rather fastidious as to their choice of Scripture names ; some which we might expect them to appropriate do not seem to take their fancy at all, while, on the other hand, you meet with such names as Raboanarijesy (Boanerges), Rajafetra (Japhet), Ranoa (Noah), Rasamisona (Samson), &c. One of the most curious boys' names I have heard of is Ramosejaofera, a combination of Ra, native prefix, most, contracted from the French ' monsieur,' and jaofh'a, a native name. A considerable number of English and French names too are occasionally met with. Several of these are names of missionaries ; but the rules of Malagasy spelling require such changes that I expect you would hardly recognise them if you saw them written. Here is a list of a few :— Rasaridisaonina Raoilisaonina Rajaonisaonina Mr. Richardson. Mr. Wilson. Mr. Johnson.