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The Morarano site is surrounded by a moat, which according to legend, was completed by appealing to a
sampy
(spiritual idol or
amulet) called
Anjoharilahy
or
Anjoharivavy
. The population abandoned the Mahatsara site when a plague struck. People moved into
the villages at the bottom of the hill. Berano, on the other hand became popular when it was found that the earth around it was rich in
gold.
The end of the Ambitsika phase corresponds with the emergence of the majority of sites. This can be explained by the development
of foreign trade, which grew during the 19th century. Pirates driven out from the Caribbean tried to restructure themselves around
the Mascarene Islands between 1698 and 1724. They managed to develop special bonds with some of the leaders on the East
Coast, Their descendants, who are still numerous, are part of the
Zanamalata
clan: mulatto children. These people were no doubt the
instigators of raids carried out by the Malagasy on the Comoros and East Africa between 1785 and1810.
Already well-established on Bourbon Island, France decided to take back its former colony, Fort Dauphin. Its ships went all the way
to the north of Tamatave to look for supplies of rice.
The East Coast became a scene of power struggles between European nations. Competition was particularly visible between the
English and the French as nations. However, State positions did not eliminate personal initiatives. The overall practice remained the
same: become allies with local leaders to take advantage of the region’s wealth. To acquire such privileges, foreign adventurers did
not hesitate to hand over their modern weapons to local clans to fight others.
In the 18th century, foreigners settled along the coast. Incursions inland were sporadic, but did not prevent trade through trusted
suppliers. It was not until the last quarter of the 18th century that a French slave trader, Nicolas Mayeur, no doubt bolder than the
others, began a march in land, towards the highlands. In 1777, after passing through the Sihanaka area, he reached the Imerina
region and met the King of Antananarivo, Andrianamboatsimarofy. This period was also a moment of fame for the well-known
adventurer Count Benyowsky.
