Betsileo

The Betsileo inhabited the southern highlands of Madagascar, where a number of kingdoms later developed separately, including Lalangina, Isandra and Fisakana.

In the early 17th century the Imerina prince Rasamboninjato founded Lalangina; King Besilau repelled a Sakalava-Menabe invasion in the 1670s. Later King Raonimanalina died resisting Imerina, and his sister Andriambavizanaka negotiated submission. In the 19th century Radama I conquered and reorganized the Betsileo kingdoms with Fianarantsoa as the administrative centre of the central and southern districts.