Ranavalona II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ranavalona II |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||||
| Queen of Madagascar | |||||
| Reign | 2 April 1868 – 13 July 1883 | ||||
| Coronation | 3 September 1868 | ||||
| Predecessor | Rasoherina | ||||
| Successor | Ranavalona III | ||||
| Prime Minister | Rainilaiarivony | ||||
| Born | 1829 Rovan' Ambatomanoina, Fokontany of Masombahiny |
||||
| Died | 13 July 1883 (aged 53–54) | ||||
| Burial | 1897 Tomb of the Queens, Rovan' Antananarivo |
||||
| Spouse |
|
||||
|
|||||
| House | Merina | ||||
| Dynasty | Hova dynasty | ||||
| Father | Prince Razakaratrimo | ||||
| Mother | Princess Rafarasoa Ramasindrazana | ||||
| Signature |  |
||||
Ranavalona II (born 1829, died July 13, 1883) was a powerful Queen of Madagascar. She ruled from 1868 to 1883, taking over after her cousin, Queen Rasoherina. Queen Ranavalona II is most famous for making Christianity the official religion of the royal court during her time as queen.
Contents
Early Life of Princess Ramoma
Ranavalona II was born Princess Ramoma in 1829. Her birthplace was Ambatomanoina, a place near Antananarivo in the central highlands of Imerina. Her parents were Prince Razakaratrimo and Princess Rafarasoa Ramasindrazana.
As a young woman, Princess Ramoma married King Radama II. Sadly, he was killed in a coup in 1863. After his death, the prime minister at the time, Rainivoninahitriniony, lost his job. His younger brother, Rainilaiarivony, became the new prime minister.
Rainilaiarivony later married Queen Rasoherina. When she passed away, he helped Princess Ramoma become the next queen. He then married her to keep his important role as prime minister.
During her time at court, young Ramoma learned a lot from Protestant missionaries. Their teachings greatly shaped her religious and political ideas. She grew to favor Christian beliefs more and more.
Ranavalona II became queen after Queen Rasoherina died on April 1, 1868. On February 21, 1869, she officially married her prime minister, Rainilaiarivony. This was a public ceremony held at Andohalo.
During this event, the royal court officially became Christian. This change helped the royal court gain influence over the growing Protestant group. Queen Ranavalona II declared Madagascar a Christian nation.
In September 1869, she had the traditional royal charms, called sampy, burned in a large bonfire. The Bible then took their place as the main source of authority.
Protecting Madagascar's Forests
Under Queen Ranavalona II's rule, people started thinking about the problem of cutting down too many trees. The queen allowed buildings inside the walls of Antananarivo to be made from brick. Before, King Andrianampoinimerina had forbidden this.
She also banned some old practices that harmed the environment. These included tavy (a method of farming where forests are cut and burned), making charcoal, and building houses inside forests.
A Queen's Appearance
A European visitor described Queen Ranavalona II in 1873. He said she looked about 45 years old. She had a dark olive complexion and a kind face.
He noted she looked very queenly. She wore a gray silk dress and a silk lamba draped over her shoulders. Her black hair was beautifully styled. She did not wear a crown. Instead, a long, fine gold chain with a gold tassel hung from her hair. Only the queen was allowed to wear this special chain.
Death and Succession
Queen Ranavalona II died in 1883. She was first buried in Ambohimanga. Later, in 1897, the French colonial government moved her remains. They also moved other monarchs buried in Ambohimanga.
Her bones were reburied in the tomb of Queen Rasoherina. This tomb is located on the grounds of the Rova of Antananarivo. Queen Ranavalona III became the next ruler after Ranavalona II. She was the very last monarch of the kingdom of Madagascar.
See also
In Spanish: Ranavalona II para niños
