Andriandravindravina
According to some versions of the genealogy of the Merina people of the central Highlands of Madagascar, Andriandravindravina is the name of the first sovereign of the Highlands. He was not Merina but rather a vazimba, the mysterious first inhabitants of Madagascar that successive waves of settlers encountered upon arrival there. The Tantara ny Andriana eto Madagasikara, the famed genealogy of the Merina aristocracy, states that Andriandravindravina ruled over Ambohitsitakatra in northern Imerina where he was reportedly buried. His three sons were:
- Andrianoranorana, the oldest, who settled on the seaside at Maroantsetra.
- Andriamanjavona, who settled at Angavo, where he married the goddess Andriambavirano.
- Andriananjavonana, who settled at Anandribe, west of Angavo.
As the first sovereign of the Highlands, Andriandravindravina would represent an ancestor of Queens Rangita and Rafohy, themselves antecedents of King Andriamanelo, commonly viewed as the originator of the Merina royal dynasty in Imerina. As such, this Malagasy origin myth can either complement or compete with the genealogy that traces the origins of the Merina aristocracy back to the god-king Andrianerinerina.
The tale of Andriamanjavona
In a Merina tale described in the book Tantara ny Andriana eto Madagasikara, Andriambavirano came down from heaven, goddess Andriambavirano descends to earth in leaf form. Andriamanjavona, "royal prince of double affiliation" and son of sovereign Andriandravindravina, is destined to take it, which he does by singing a magical charm. He captures the leaf and takes it home. The leaf becomes a woman named Andriambavirano and they marry. The "vadibe", the first wife, casts away Andriambavirano's three children, but they are saved by a foster father. Further sources state the three children are saved by a creature called Konantitra and later become heroes and heroines.