The hinterland of Mahilaka and the far north to Cap d'Ambre.
Villages every few kilometres along the shores of Nosy Be use the same pottery as Mahilaka (sgraffiato and soapstone sherds link them to the port); in the far north, the Irodo and Lanivato sites and the forty-odd caves and rock shelters of the Andavakoera gorge (late eleventh to early thirteenth centuries) show forest-edge camps and coastal villages trading for imported wares. Settlements are small and show little sign of rank (Dewar and Wright). The Antankarana and Sakalava of later centuries are not yet here as polities.
Who holds it
- Name
- Not known: no leader is named for this date
- Title
- Heads of lineages, villages and clans
- Since
- Not pinned
- Confidence
- low
How things stand that morning
Independent villages in Mahilaka's orbit.
Customs
Rice, cattle, fishing; soapstone and iron working; trade through Mahilaka.
Assemblies
Village elders; Mahilaka's rulers presumably carry weight along the bay.
What the year holds
What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.
- Through 1200No dated event is known.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Survey and excavation (Verin, Wright, Dewar, Radimilahy).
On the map: Drawn from modern language areas, physical geography and a few dated sites; the 1200 extent is a rough guess.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.