Betsimisaraka

The Betsimisaraka confederation united communities on Madagascar's eastern coast.

Around 1710 Ratsimilaho convened northern chiefs and won their backing against Ramanano and the southern Tsikoa, who had attacked coastal ports. In 1712 his people took the name Betsimisaraka, meaning the many who will not be separated. His successors failed to preserve the union's strength, and in 1817 Radama I of Imerina conquered the divided kingdom.