File:The history of mankind (1896) (14577577567).jpg

Identifier: historyofmankind01ratz (find matches)
Title: The history of mankind
Year: 1896 (1890s)
Authors: Ratzel, Friedrich, 1844-1904 Butler, Arthur John, 1844-1910
Subjects: Ethnology Anthropology
Publisher: London, Macmillan and co., ltd. New York, The Macmillan co.
Contributing Library: Wellesley College Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Wellesley College Library

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Hova drinking-cups of bamboo, used also for tobacco-boxes—one-half real size. (Berlin Museum.) 464 THE HISTORY OF MANKIND politics is primarily due to the great importance attached to direct descent inblood. The custom by which the first minister is the queens consort, has fortifiedtheir position until three successive female reigns have gone far to give the Hovaconstitution the appearance of a gynecocracy. Regard for posterity, especiallymale posterity, has not succeeded in eradicating the horrible practice of infanticide.The greatest respect is shown to parents by their children, very much owing tothe honour paid to age as such. For instance, if two slaves of different ages have
Text Appearing After Image:
Antananarivo, the Hova capital. (From a photograph.) a load to carry, the younger will, if possible, take it all. Blood brotherhood,contracted over a slaughtered ox, recalls an African custom. Society among the Hovas falls under three classes ; the nobles (Andrian), thecitizens (Hova), and the slaves (Andevo or Ampory). The nobility consists mostlyof descendants of former chiefs. It is the most distinguished class, but not therichest ; you may even hear people say poor as a lord. The government is freeto employ all subjects as it pleases ; service is claimed from rich and poor, youngand old. Services rendered to the government are accordingly, as might beexpected, gratuitous ; and thence follows important results on the power of thegovernment, as well as the fact that the ministers are the chief traders in thecountry. In this corvce-systcm too, we may find a reason for the backward condi-tion of the people, seeing that it is just those of most ability who lose most of the THE MALAGASI

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