2. Ranavalona I (Merina Queen, Ramavo)
Born: 1778 – Ambatomanoina
Died: August 16, 1861 – Rova of Antananarivo
It’s not easy to find right words to describe the rule of Ranavalona I, the Queen of Madagascar that’s up next in our list of most evil female rulers in history. Perhaps lunatic and erratic, would do the job. However, since history is written by the victors – European colonialist in this case – we could give a girl break! After all, she has preserved cultural heritage by insisting on tradition and by banishing Christianity far from the island. But where’s smoke, there’s fire! So, let’s take a peek into the XIX century Madagascar and life of one controversial queen! Our list of her deeds begins with the ridiculous 50 000–participants buffalo hunt, organized by Ranavalona herself, where roads and camps were built on the way, and a total of 10 000 people died due to starving and disease. In addition, no buffalo was harmed. Next in the line is some pretty gruesome method of execution that involves flaying your skin off while you’re alive. Other methods were equally horrible. Also, it seems that she didn’t have a good relationship with her in-laws, nor with the rest of her family, including her husband. Considering his death at the age of 36, and shortly after her coronation, one can assume that she has done her dirty work well. Her former lover is neck-speared because he didn’t want to do the ridiculous test of faithfulness, which included swallowing and throwing up chicken skins. To all appearances, she favored French fashion and men -one especially- despite her animosity toward Europeans. Jean Laborde -her favorite slave – is a mastermind of the industrial revolution that resulted in the production of weaponry, ammunition, and gunpowder. That’s how she kept the French and British forces off the island. Moreover, Ravalona’s restoration of slavery, which was the foundation of the state’s economy, caused many deaths. More than a 50 percent of the island’s population died due to the life under poor circumstances! As for Ranavalona – she died peacefully, in sleep, at the age of 83. And now, let’s see the number one in our list of most evil female rulers in history.
