0007 Madagascar in 1884: The Baobab and the hyena

PREVIOUSLY on 1884 

Màhamàsina, Madagascar

July 3, 1884

For several days after the orders were issued for the assembling of a great royal kabàry on the plain at Màhamàsina, the town and neighborhood are crowded with people flocking in from the country, and everyone is anxiously expecting the queen's discourse. Màhamàsina is a large plain at the foot of the mountain on which the capital city of Antanànarìvo is built. Very careful arrangements has been made for the order and marshaling of such a vast concourse of people, who assemble in their thousands, and a platform erected for the sovereign and her ministers, from which the discourse is to be delivered. 

Crossroads, some ten feet wide, are kept open in every direction by fences and large prominent arches at each entrance enable the people to steer their way in and out of the crowd without disorder or inconvenience. Doctors are stationed at intervals, their positions denoted by a little white flag bearing a red cross. 

By ten o'clock the people are already crowding to their places, and some twenty to thirty thousand are already on the field, while every house and terrace, wall and balcony, overlooking the plain, is covered with women. Among the spearmen are bands of children of all ages armed with spear and shield, one band especially attracting notice as consisting of children between six and ten years of age. Their spears are about five feet long, and their shields of wood fifteen inches in diameter. All the schools of Antanànarìvo are drawn up in arms, and palace school makes a very show in their uniforms. 

A great royal kabàry

There are also countless regiments of recruits armed with muzzle-loaders, flint-locks, and native-made guns. The regular city regiments, consisting of 5000 troops, march on to the field at half-past eleven, and took up their positions along the central enclosure and along the different avenues dividing the plain. They are dressed in white tunics, dark blue cotton trousers, and brown helmets, and were all armed with breech- loading rifles which looked exceedingly bright and clean. 

Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony is waiting for the queen’s arrival. Queen Ranavalona III is supposed to leave the Rova at twelve o'clock but the crowd is so thick that it probably will require more than an hour to pass through the city and descend to the plain.

In his twenty years as prime minister, Rainilaiarivony has been through many royal kabàry, but today’s will go down as one of the most important, as Queen Ranavalona will declare war on France. The Prime Minister gently stroke his favorite white mare’s neck to calm her nervousness. A direct descendant of the first houses presented to the Merina court by the British, she’s a reminder of the beginning of the friendship between the two kingdoms some seventy years ago. 

Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony, in the 1880's.

Madagascar was once in a strategic position on the route to India around the Cape. During the Napoleonic Wars, a naval expedition was sent to capture the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean from the French, in order to prevent them being used as a base to attack Britain's Indian colonies like during the American Revolutionary War some thirty years earlier. In addition, another goal was to get rid of Mauritius-based French privateers who have attacked Britain’s East India Company’s fleet and caused millions of pounds in losses. 

After the war, Britain had to return Réunion and Comoros to France but got to keep Mauritius and Seychelles. Robert Townsend Farquhar, a former Lieutenant-Governor of Penang and Britain’s first governor of Mauritius, sent a mission to the Merina court to request help to end the slave trade and was embraced by King Radama the Great’s reception and cooperation. 

Rainilaiarivony thinks. The English expression “a friend in need is a friend indeed” is just empty air to them. When they needed something from us, then we were their friends – only to be conveniently discarded when no longer in need. If he had given any benefit of the doubt to Britain for her inaction regarding France’s war on Madagascar, his conversation on June 16 with the new British consul Mr. Hicks Graves while waiting for the queen’s arrival in the throne room would have finally confirmed to him that the old Malagasy expression “as false as the British” is true.

PM: I hope you have fully recovered from your eight-day travel from our French-occupied port, Consul.

Consul: Thank you, Prime Minister. I had a couple of days to recover. If this is the good season to make the journey, I don’t want to imagine what it’s like in the bad. Thanks to the eight men who carried me in filanjana or I would not have survived it really. I didn’t expect most of it to be long arduous climbs through such thick forest. With the sunlight only filtered through like tiny stars and the sounds of the lemur throughout days and nights, it seemed like another world. 

PM: You are in another world, Consul. Our island, animals and plants are different from anywhere else. Consul: I was hoping to see some Malagasy Baobab trees which I have read about, but didn’t see any.

PM: They are usually found along the dry western coast, Consul. You must have read the story of how they look as though they appear upside-down and grow in dry land?

Consul: No, please tell me. I’m fascinated by native legends and how they tie the peoples to the land.

PM: Oh, you will love this one. It goes like this. After having created Earth and the animals, God was going to cover the land with trees and plants. The hyena, fancying itself the smartest, proposed to help God so that it can claim the title as chief of all God’s creatures. Then God gave him baobab seeds to grow, saying, “These are Baobab seeds. They are strong but grow very slowly. They will stand the tallest among my creatures even in the most arid lands.” Having heard God’s words, the hyena felt inferiority of its own stature and became jealous of the Baobab. It found the sandiest corner of Earth and put the Baobab seeds in the ground upside down, so that they wouldn’t grow …

Consul: … And the rest is history.  

PM: Yes, Consul, like the history that we are writing. We, all peoples of Madagascar, are as tough as the Baobab trees. We will overcome all difficulties, even this French war.

Consul: But am I right to think that hyenas are not native to Madagascar?

PM: They aren’t, Consul. But hyenas are cunning. They invite themselves over in ships and gunboats!

Consul laughed: I don’t think hyenas are very French either.

Prime Minister chuckles: Oh, no, no, no. Consul. I am not comparing the French to the hyena. That would be too cruel on the poor animal. All I say is when the news reached Antanànarìvo of Admiral Miot's conditions, great indignation was felt by the people. So the royal proclamation was issued in the Malagasy Gazette ten days ago.

Queen Ranavalona III

The Prime Minister signals his aide to hand the Consul a copy of the English translation which reads:

“ I, Ranavàlomanjàka, through the grace of God and the will of people Queen of Madagascar and defender of its laws, declare unto you my subjects that negotiations with the French have come to an end, for we can no longer endure their doings, for they say that this land of our ancestors is not ours but theirs, and has theirs for a very long time; if we give it up to them, that is what they want, say they; but if we do not give it up to them, then they will take it by force, and we shall be deprived of our independence. 

In consequence of these unbearable threatenings, the words which we have long expressed must now become fact, namely, that everyone shall stand up like a man and fight the enemy… Be diligent then in learning the art of war, for the day draws nigh when I shall examine your ability therein, and none shall I exempt from instruction. If there any that you see not learning, be he who he may, bring him to the seat of judgment, and I shall fine him in money equivalent to the price of his head, for he is a traitor. Let each one beware of causing tumult, and be not excited by others to disorder, for order and unity are our strength in thig business. Should tumult or disorder arise, then I shall make that town in which it arises responsible for it. 

Behold also the foreigners that are now in my land and kingdom; take good care of them and of their possessions, for they are our friends, and have nothing to do with those who are fighting against us. Observe well these my words, and let each one show himself a man both in thought and deed, in order that the world may see that our courage is not mere talk. 

RANAVÀLOMANJÀKA, Mpanjàka ny Madagaskara" 

Wearing a traditional striped lamba over his military uniform, Rainilaiarivony sits to inspect his troops at the Rova compound (around 1865)

Consul: I can certainly understand the feelings of Her Majesty and the Malagasy people in this regard, Prime Minister.

As the bugle sounded, the young Queen Ranavalona entered the throne room in her white gown cloaked under a large stately silk lamba with colorful flower patterns. Prime Minister and then Consul kissed her gloved hand.

Consul: “Your Majesty. It is with great pleasure that I find myself in your presence this day. I had hoped to be able to visit this your capital at a less distant period from the date of my arrival in Madagascar, but I have in the meantime visited many of the towns on the coast held by your garrisons, at which I am glad to able to state I was received with all courtesy by the governors in your Majesty's name I would beg to assure your Majesty that I also will spare no effort to compel my men to observe the treaty between the two countries, and in this I feel sure I shall be seconded by Her Britannic Majesty's vice-consul in this city, Mr. Pickersgill, and the different British vice-consuls on the coast." 

Queen Ranavalona replied, " It is a great pleasure to us to see you, representative of our good friends, safely in my capital. I take the words which you have just uttered a fresh proof of the good friendship and the earnest wish your Government entertains towards us. I am delighted to assure you that I am always ready to do my best in opening my country to civilization and commerce with other nations, fully convinced that by so doing it tends not only to increase the wealth of our dominions, but good understanding between us and the Treaty Powers will ensue. I trust that the English nation, which shown feelings towards us for a very long period, will be willing as ever to help us morally in carrying out our views." 

Consul: It will be my greatest privilege to do so, on behalf of Her Britannic Majesty’s government. Her Britannic Majesty also sends her deepest condolence again for the passing of Queen Ranavalona II last year.

Queen: Thank you. Please return our deepest gratitude to Her Britannic Majesty Queen Victoria for her condolence and kindness. I hope that your government has laid before Her Majesty the difficulties we are having with France. It has been thirteen months since they began their unprovoked bombardments of our garrisons and posts along the coast and captured Majunga while the envoys we sent to negotiate with Paris had not even returned home.

Consul: Yes, Your Majesty. I am painfully aware of the difficulties. 

Queen: All of the French residents here in the capital would have been murdered after the news arrived, if my aunt the late Queen had not offered them five days to leave Antanànarìvo safely and provided them with porters to carry their belongings. 

Consul: Her Majesty Ranavalona’s decision was most magnanimous. The remaining foreigners of British, Norwegian and American nationalities in Antanànarìvo are forever grateful for Her Majesty’s permission to stay and for the special guards sent to protect them and their properties. 

Prime Minister's Palace (1884)

Queen: I remember my aunt say, “They call us barbarians, and if we did otherwise we would prove ourselves to be so.” But in response to our justified expulsion of French residents, the French Admiral sent an outrageous ultimatum which we immediately refused, for which they immediately bombarded our fort at Tamatave before proceeding to land and put the whole port town under siege. How long was the notice they gave to other foreigners living in Tamatave to leave, Consul?

Consul: They were given 24-hour notice to evacuate to their country’s ships, Her Majesty.

Queen: That’s 23 hours more than they gave our people at Majunga. And did your predecessor Vice-Consul Pakenham not die during that 24 hours, and a British missionary Mr Shaw not thrown into jail for over a month on a false charge?

Consul: Your Majesty is very well informed. Indeed, Mr Pakenham died of poor health, and Mr Shaw was imprisoned through some misunderstanding. But these have been sorted out to the satisfaction of the parties involved, Your Majesty.

Queen: How cordial the diplomatic conducts between Western nations are. If only our kingdom would be treated similarly as an equal civilized nation.

The Rova (Royal Palace) of Antananarivo (1884)

Consul: Despite the rocky relationship during Queen Ranavalona I's reign, Britain has always cherished the relationship with the Merina Kingdom and treated her as equal, ever since the oath of blood brotherhood between King Radama and Captain Le Sage and the close friendship between the great king and Mr. James Hastie, Your Majesty.

Queen: Mr. Hastie was well loved by everyone. With the treaty that he negotiated, the great king formed a formal alliance with the British crown to eliminate exportation of slaves and was recognized as the King over all of Madagascar. 

PM: I also owe the good Mr. Hastie a personal gratitude. If not for him, I would not have lived a single day of life.

Consul: Oh, how, Prime Minister?

PM: I was born, Consul, on a day considered unlucky day by the mpisikidy – diviners. The traditional practice would be to leave such a baby in a cattle pen to be trampled to death. But thanks to Mr Hastie, such cruel practices were outlawed by the king just a few years before my birth. And look at me. Now I am a Prime Minister and a good Christian just like yourself.

Queen: Thanks to the hard works initiated by the missionaries of the London Missionary Society, now we have established our own churches, schools, hospitals, local industries, flourishing trade and a modern army. We have become a constitutional monarch and a Christian nation just as Britain.

Consul: Madagascar has modernized rapidly in such a short time since the Anglo-Malagasy Treaty of 1817, Your Majesty. During his visit three years ago, our commander-in-chief of the East India Station, Rear-Admiral Gore Jones, was so impressed with the advances made in the kingdom’s civilization, and reported that the Malagasy people have become a race fit to govern their native land, and the fact obviates the necessity for the intervention of any outside nation.

Antananarivo (1884)

Queen: Germany and the United States also recognize the sovereignty of our kingdom over the whole island. On the contrary, France unfortunately seems to think that Sakalava rebels were at liberty to cede to them our coastal territory. 

PM: In any case, the French knew how flimsy their claims were, so they never followed them up with occupation except at Nosy Be. They also repudiated their claims, if any, in the Franco-Malagasy Treaty of 1868 which recognizes our kingdom’s sovereignty over the whole island. Previous French consuls also never made any such rights until recently. 

Consul: Even our government did not know of these treaties existed until the French, after several inquiries, recently supplied us with some sketchy information. 

PM: If I were you, I would not easily trust any documents they produce. You must be aware of the difficulty we have regarding the dubious Lambert Charter. And also regarding the inheritance of the good Monsieur Laborde who received lands from Queen Ranavalona I for his many services. But France would not accept that, according to Malagasy law, the land must revert to the Crown upon their death or departure.

Consul: Indeed, as was the case with Mr Hastie, Prime Minister.

Queen: Exactly, Consul. Besides, the deed supposedly signed King Radama II was dated one year after his death, so it must have been carelessly forged by Monsieur Laborde’s son who, as one of the secretaries of state, had charge of the royal seal for some time.

King Radama the Great reviewing his troops (1825)

Consul: We are aware of the difficulty with France over the issue of the Laborde inheritance and their demand that the law against freeholding of lands by foreigners be revoked. Earl Granville has informed his French counterpart that such laws are common in many countries. Even England used to have one until only a few years ago. We are of the opinion that Your Majesty’s gracious offer to amend the law to allow extendable long leases is entirely satisfactory for us.

PM: I wish the French were as reasonable. They insist on their one-sided story to extort us. The same with the Toualé dhow incident. Although French subjects were trafficking weapons to the warring tribes on our coast in violation of our law and when intercepted fatally shot our people, they are claiming damage for the deaths of the crew who died in the return fire. Why would they make such a demand on us, if they didn’t recognize our authority over that territory in the first place?

Queen: If we yield to them on one question, they will make another more outrageous demand. Admiral Miot threatened that the purpose was to make us come to agreement more quickly. That’s why throughout eight rounds of negotiations, he kept escalating his demands with such arrogant words. Not only the territories, but our very independence is at risk. 

French conquest of Tunisia (1881)

PM: You must realize, Consul, that these are just excuses. Jules Ferry is very eager on his second term to expand the French Empire. After robbing Tunisia from the Ottoman Empire (to Italy’s jealousy) in exchange for British occupation of Cyprus three years ago, now Ferry wants to do one better and bigger to regain France’s prestige after the defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. He wants another French Algeria to rally popular support and subdue internal troubles. French Catholics, Reunion colonists as well as the mainlanders with interests are pushing for expansion into our great island like a pack of hyenas. Despite the sincere efforts by our own Minister of Foreign Affairs, they tried to steal our island with a straight face, hoping that our envoy would not notice the changes in wordings on the treaty to be signed in Paris. 

Queen: Since our envoys also laid the issues to your government in London, what help can Britain give us, Consul?

Consul: Earl Granville’s offer to mediate was firmly rejected by France, Your Majesty. But we will continue to do our best to convince France to settle the disagreement diplomatically.

The Prime Minister scoffs: And neutrality is the best Britain can do for her friend Madagascar?

He knows the exact reason for the Consul’s lack of commitment although he expected as much. The delegation to Europe arrived in Paris two years ago just as the French public became enraged by Britain’s invasion of Egypt. That’s why Britain would not risk provoking more French wrath.

The invasion of Egypt again exposed Britain’s real interest: the control of the sea route to India. Suez Canal, mostly funded by French financiers, in French-influenced Egypt was supposed to give France a strategic advantage, but Britain snatched Egypt from French jaw of victory. Maybe Britain is even willing to turn a blind eye if France claims Britain-influenced Madagascar as compensation. If they can betray powerful China on French invasion of Tonkin question, why not us? 

What a friend indeed. To Prime Minister, Western powers may behave like hyenas against non-Western nations, but among themselves they are like grooming lemurs licking each other’s dirty parts. If only one can find a way to turn them against each other like hyenas fighting over a juicy bone. The Pakenham-Shaw incident was close, and could have provoked a fallout if not for British restraint over Egypt …

Prime Minister noticed that, on his part, the Consul also kept his words at minimum. If only he could read his mind, he would be confirmed how peripheral Madagascar was to British attention. A lot other British interests in and around Africa were at stake. After Egypt, France is trying to find a foothold for control around the Red Sea and Suez facing off British Aden. There are also other areas of potential Anglo-French conflict over the Congo and the Niger. And who knows what Bismarck has up his sleeves, now that Germans are appearing on the Southwestern coast of Africa?  what if they ally with the Boers or, God forbid, France? And there’s also their activities in East Africa and Zanzibar. 

East Africa and Madagascar

Consul then broke the awkward silence by sharing some small pieces of intelligence: Let this stay between us, Prime Minister. As I arrived in Mauritius, I received the telegram updating us that France had just concluded an accord with China over the war in Tonkin, so more ships could be heading this way.

PM: Let them come, Consul. It’s easy for them to underestimate the difficulties of conducting war on our island.  

Consul: It seems to me that they have become bogged down on the coast. A large number seemed to be ill, and they had to call for reinforcement from Reunion. 

PM: And the Sakalava chiefs that they claimed as allies never to rally to their cause. Thanks to General Hazo and General Tazo, it’s not … What’s the English expression? … a walk in the park for them.

Consul: Who are General Hazo and General Tazo, Prime Minister?

Prime Minister smiles: General Forest and General Fever, Consul. In addition we also have to thank our chief military advisor Adjutant-General Digby Willoughby. He’s a Zulu War veteran from your country.

Consul: Ah, yes. The French also inquired why a British officer was fighting on the Malagasy side, and our Earl Granville informed them that although he’s a British subject, but not an official military officer, so the British Government cannot stop him from his employment.

PM: If you please, I can also arrange for you to review some of our infantry practicing their drill with Remington rifles. Perhaps we can discuss a purchase of more weapons from you….

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The trumpets and bugles sound a flourish, as the queen arrives in a gilt palanquin carried by twelve bearers, and is received by the Prime Minister. Her Majesty then mounts the platform and takes her seat on the throne under the canopy. Ranavàlomanjàka III is in European costume, a robe of white silk trimmed with pink satin. She wears her hair plaited, and on her head was a light gold coronet. On a small table to her right is a large Bible, and on a similar table at her left is a scarlet and gold crown. 

The kabàry has now commenced. Prime Minister, drawing his sword, salutes, the whole army presents arms, the bands plays the national anthem, and the cannon in the battery above fires a salute of twenty-one rounds. The saluting over, the troops comes to “the shoulder," the trumpets and bugles sound a flourish, and the queen rises from her throne. In a few minutes a perfect silence ensues amongst the expectant multitude, and, waving her small golden scepter over her people, Ranavalona in a clear ringing voice addresses the people: 

Queen Ranavalona III with royal crown and scepter (around 1890-5)

" O ye people devoted to your fatherland, and ye soldiers strong in battle, my heart is glad as I stand among you. I see that both I, your queen, and this land of our ancestors are indeed dear you; and when I have summoned you to assemble, you have come at the appointed time; therefore I express my satisfaction to you; life and the blessing of God be upon you. 

"And I have to say to you, O my soldiers -- for we all form of the army now, both I and my people -- that since those Frenchmen have invaded our land, I have done everything to bring about a termination of the war. 

"Although we have paid sums of money twice, it was my Intention to give whatever would not involve my sovereignty or impair the independence of Madagascar, this land of our ancestors; for I particularly dislike, and it grieves me indeed, that your blood should be shed. 

“But they were not willing, O my army, and want one-third of Madagascar for themselves, and for us to pay £120,000, as also to indemnify all the losses of other nations during the war; and yet it was not we that destroyed that property but the French alone bombarded and destroyed; they struck the first blow, and did not even give notice of war, but even assailed women and children; and that even is not all they want, but I and my ancestors have been insulted and they will not acknowledge me as Queen of Madagascar but only Queen of Merina. 

"I shall fulfill, O my people, the share in the defense of the land which belongs to me as queen. I have done so, but still I will do more, for, though I am a woman, I have the heart of a man, and I stand up to lead you forth to prevent and oppose those who seek to take our land; for God forbid, O ye people, that we should become the servants of foreigners. Is it not so, ye people? I am confident, O my people in arms, that we are all united as one in holding fast to this beloved land of our ancestors, and in acting so as to frustrate the evil designs of our enemy. For is it not so, O ye people? 

"Further I have to say to you I am extremely gratified to see the unity of combination in learning the art of war. Go on learning and await my commands for I shall not let the enemy come upon you unawares, for our courageous friends have gone to guard the coasts where the enemy will land. And I have to say to you, O people, that you may all know at once, there are no Frenchmen here, but they are foreigners entertaining good friendship toward us who remain here now; so let everyone take good care not to interfere with their persons or property. 

"However, my people, whatever be our strength, or however great our numbers, all this is in vain without the help of God; let every one of us therefore ask for His help for deliverance in this our just cause. 

“And these are my last words to you, O my army, though our bodies be annihilated, we shall not be ashamed nor confounded, but our name and our fame will live forever, because we rather choose to die than yield up our fatherland and the good which God has given us. For is it not so, O ye warriors?” 

It requires some little time for the queen's words to be circulated among the crowd; but by the time Ranavalona reaches her last “Is it not so, ye soldiers ? " the excitement and enthusiasm are at a climax, the people shout, wave their spears and shields, and the sight is one never to be forgotten. 

It is now the turn of the people to reply to her Majesty. First comes the representative of the civilians and the different noble clans of the Merina; their speeches consist of assurances to the queen that they were ready to fight. Their indignation about the queen being called Queen of Merina is very great. 

One spectator says, " We have seen your Majesty's caution in not wishing to endanger the lives of the people, and in trying to make it up by paying money, etc; but we won't have any more trying to make it up.” At this expression the enthusiasm of the people becomes so great that the speaker's voice is no longer heard. 

A great royal kabàry of 1895

Prime Minister next addresses the queen :

"On this occasion of your appearance in Màhamàsina, O Ranavàlomanjàka, before the people who are as your father and your mother, it is not a question of how many persons God left this kingdom to be ruled by, for you alone inherited it from your ancestors. You have come here before the people to thank us, to express your satisfaction at our preparations for war. But we, on the other hand, would say : It is not for you, the queen, to thank us, but we, the people, come to thank you, O lady, and may God’s blessings be upon you. 

“As regards the French making war upon us, especially in what concerns the command of the army, its organization and discipline, rest assured, for here am I, Prime Minister, and everyone will have his part. The man who stands before your Majesty was born to defend this land and to serve his queen. That is no empty expression, for God sees into my heart. Come death, come loss, before the land shall be taken from us. Our war is a just war, and we do not fear; if we die, we have right on our side, and God knows it.. And the fame of those who die in the defense of their country will never perish. 

“We must all die whether we fight or not, much more when our country is taken from us. But if we die in good actions, erect a stone, your Majesty, to our memories and trust in your army. Is it not so, O soldiers?” 

After the prime minister had finished his speech, the queen again rose and said, "Since those are the words of you and your soldiers, I am confident; life, prosperity, and the blessing of God be upon you."

Her Majesty then expresses a desire to see some of the schools go through their spear exercise. Some of the schools from the Bétsiléo province then came forward chanting their war-songs. The boys are about twelve years of age and are very proficient. Her Majesty now descends from the platform, and mounting a white horse, rides round the plain of Màhamàsina to review the troops amid the cheers of the people. The prime minister then declares the kabàry at an end, the royal salute is given, and the troops and the people disperse. 

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 Next on 1884.

0003 Filipino nationalists in 1884: Spoliarium

PREVIOUSLY on 1884

Madrid, 25 June 1884.

It’s 9pm and Rizal is running late and hungry. It is not typical of him to be late, but today he was busy throughout the day at the University, starting with the Greek class in which he won the top prize. Low on money –  the collapse of global sugar prices is hurting the income of his family back in Calamba – he decided to skip lunch and wait for a nice dinner and champagne at the Restaurante Inglés. Now he’s fretting that he may have missed out on the food and, worse, the celebration in honor of his friends, Juan Luna and Félix Resurrección Hidalgo, who won gold and silver medals at the prestigious Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes.

Spoliarium by Juan Luna

Upon entering, he sees a big crowd of about sixty cramming around a long table. He recognizes many Filipino paisanos in Madrid: the host Pedro Paterno and his brothers Maximino and Antonio, Graciano López Jaena, Luna’s elder brother Manuel, and of course, the guests of honor Luna himself and Hidalgo. Sitting near Professor Morayta are some metropolitan Spaniards who he thinks are politicians and journalists. At least one, he had been told, is from the El Imparcial, a liberal newspaper. 

Today is an important event for Filipinos who have almost always been mistaken for Chinese, Japanese or Spanish Americans even here in the metropole. Pedro spent money on this banquet not only to celebrate Hidalgo and Luna but also to make sure that their home province becomes better known to the capital and the world. 

“Rizal!” Some of them greet loudly upon seeing him. 

“I am surprised you show up without a lady friend. Or is that why you are late?” Jaena teases from one corner.

“Sorry amigos. I was kept busy all day at the university.” Rizal smiles. He goes to shake nearby Hidalgo’s hand. “Felicidades. Congratulations my friend. You’ve made all of us proud.”

Hidalgo rises from his chair. “Don’t be stranger. Give me a hug.” They embrace like long lost brothers until Luna booms across the table. “What about my hug?” 

Rizal walks around the table, briefly shaking hands with some along the way, until he reaches Luna who opens his arms widely for the hug.

“Felicidades indio! You showed Spain how we indios bravos can beat them at their own game.” Some Spaniards seem to shudder at the use of indios to refer to native peoples, but Rizal and his friends use it as a badge of honor.

For some, the Filipino painter’s triumph may be a surprise, as though coming out of nowhere. But Luna had already won a silver medal four years ago for The Death of Cleopatra.

The Death of Cleopatra by Juan Luna

Rizal gives Luna a tight hug until Luna comments “Is that your stomach growling?” Slightly embarrassed, Rizal says, “See? Even my stomach wants to lionize you.”

Jaena hands him a glass of champagne, “Here, have some champagne.”

Pedro looks around the table to assure himself that no one is missing, then rises from his chair with a glass in his hand. 

“Let’s all drink to Luna’s and Hidalgo’s successes. Today is the beginning of many more to come. It’s not everyday that non-Europeans win the prestigious Madrid Exposition. But this year, not one but two of us did. Luna’s gold medal for Spoliarium and Hidalgo’s silver medal for Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace are the pride of our homeland.”

There were a few speakers before Rizal. But when it's his turn to give his Brindis speech, his eloquence and confidence makes everyone stop all small conversations to listen... 

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A dramatic portrayal of Rizal giving the speech now famously known as "Brindis" speech.

Addressing the friendly non-Filipinos in the group, Rizal begins, “In rising to speak I have no fear that you will listen to me with superciliousness, for you have come here to add to ours your enthusiasm, the stimulus of youth, and you cannot but be indulgent. Sympathetic currents pervade the air, bonds of fellowship radiate in all directions, generous souls listen, and so I do not fear for my humble personality, nor do I doubt your kindness. Sincere men yourselves, you seek only sincerity, and from that height, where noble sentiments prevail, you give no heed to sordid trifles. You survey the whole field, you weigh the cause and extend your hand to whomsoever like myself, desires to unite with you in a single thought, in a sole aspiration: the glorification of genius, the grandeur of the fatherland!”

  

Now looking at Luna and Hidalgo, he says, “Such is, indeed, the reason for this gathering. In the history of mankind there are names which in themselves signify an achievement-which call up reverence and greatness; names which, like magic formulas, invoke agreeable and pleasant ideas; names which come to form a compact, a token of peace, a bond of love among the nations. To such belong the names of Luna and Hidalgo: their splendor illuminates two extremes of the globe - the Orient and the Occident, Spain and the Philippines. As I utter them, I seem to see two luminous arches that rise from either region to blend there on high, impelled by the sympathy of a common origin, and from that height to unite two peoples with eternal bonds; two peoples whom the seas and space vainly separate; two peoples among whom do not germinate the seeds of disunion blindly sown by men and their despotism. Luna and Hidalgo are the pride of Spain as of the Philippines - though born in the Philippines, they might have been born in Spain, for genius has no country; genius bursts forth everywhere; genius is like light and air, the patrimony of all: cosmopolitan as space, as life and God.”

Now he gravitates to the political, “The Philippines' patriarchal era is passing, the illustrious deeds of its sons are not circumscribed by the home; the oriental chrysalis is quitting its cocoon; the dawn of a broader day is heralded for those regions in brilliant tints and rosy dawn-hues; and that race, lethargic during the night of history while the sun was illuminating other continents, begins to wake, urged by the electric' shock produced by contact with the occidental peoples, and begs for light, life, and the civilization that once might have been its heritage, thus conforming to the eternal laws of constant evolution, of transformation, of recurring phenomena, of progress...”

“In El Spoliarium - on that canvas which is not mute -is heard the tumult of the throng, the cry of slaves, the metallic rattle of the armor on the corpses, the sobs of orphans, the hum of prayers, with as much force and realism as is heard the crash of the thunder amid the roar of the cataracts, or the fearful and frightful rumble of the earthquake. The same nature that conceives such phenomena has also a share in those lines. On the other hand, in Hidalgo's work there are revealed feelings of the purest kind; ideal expression of melancholy, beauty, and weakness-victims of brute force…”

Virgins Exposed to the Populace by Hidalgo

“Yet both of them-although so different-in appearance, at least, are fundamentally one; just as our hearts beat in unison in spite of striking differences. Both, by depicting from their palettes the dazzling rays of the tropical sun, transform them into rays of unfading glory with which they invest the fatherland. Both express the spirit of our social, moral and political life; humanity subjected to hard trials, humanity unredeemed; reason and aspiration in open fight with prejudice, fanaticism and injustice…  If the mother teaches her child her language in order to understand its joys, its needs, and its woes; so Spain, like that mother, also teaches her language to Filipinos, in spite of the opposition of those purblind pygmies who, sure of the present, are unable to extend their vision into the future, who do not weigh the consequences.”

Rizal again looks around on the Spanish guests, “Happily, brothers are more-generosity and nobility are innate under the sky of Spain-of this you are all patent proof. You have unanimously responded, you have cooperated, and you would have done more, had more been asked. Seated at our festal board and honoring the illustrious sons of the Philippines, you also honor Spain, because, as you are well aware, Spain's boundaries are not the Atlantic or the Bay of Biscay or the Mediterranean-a shame would it be for water to place a barrier to her greatness, her thought. Luna and Hidalgo belong to you as much as to us. You love them, you see in them noble hopes, valuable examples.”

Here comes the important part, his voice trembles slightly. “But the Philippines' gratitude toward her illustrious sons was yet unsatisfied; and desiring to give free rein to the thoughts that seethe her mind, to the feelings that overflow her heart, and to the words that escape from her lips, we have all come together here at this banquet to mingle our vows, to give shape to that mutual understanding between two races which love and care for each other, united morally, socially and politically for the space of four centuries, so that they may form in the future a single nation in spirit, in duties, in aims, in rights.”

Raising his glass, he toasts, “I drink, then, to our artists Luna and Hidalgo, genuine and pure glories of two peoples. I drink to the persons who have given them aid on the painful road of art! I drink that the Filipno youth-sacred hope of my fatherland may imitate such valuable examples; and that the mother Spain, solicitous and heedful of the welfare of her provinces, may quickly put into practice the reforms she has so long planned. The furrow is laid out and the land is not sterile! And finally, I drink to the happiness of those parents who, deprived of their sons' affection, from those distant regions follow them with moist gaze and throbbing hearts across the seas and distance; sacrificing on the altar of the common good, the sweet consolations that are so scarce in the decline of life — precious and solitary flowers that spring up on the borders of the tomb.” He raises his glass to a loud applause, takes a giant sip and sits down.

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Jose Rizal in Spain

After all the speeches, Rizal approaches Professor Morayta. “Excuse me, Professor. Could I have a minute of your time?” 

After walking away from the crowd, Rizal says, “I would like to join the Freemasons. May I humbly request your recommendation, por favor?”

Professor Morayta smiles. “Of course. But are you sure? I know you are a good Catholic and the Pope just published a condemnation of Freemasonry last month for promoting naturalism, popular sovereignty, and the separation of church and state. He especially condemned the promotion of public education that denies the Church's role and where ‘the education of youth is exclusively in the hands of laymen.’”

“Yes. That’s exactly the kind of education I wish all Filipinos had an option to have. I know my mother would not approve, and my brother warned me against upsetting the Dominican Order who we rent our land from. That’s why they don’t need to know about it.” 

Long conflicted about this, Rizal finally made this decision, remembering how in 1872 his family received no help from the Order when his mother was imprisoned for a false accusation and his brother had to flee persecution for association with the Cavite Mutiny. 

While lost in thought, Morayta pats him on the shoulder, “Of course, I will recommend you. Also I would like to congratulate you for your speech. I was told that El Imparcial will definitely write about our two Filipino friends’ achievement as well as your speech highlighting the situations in your homeland. It will surely echo the situations in the Philippines around the world. Come, I want you to know some people.”

He leads Rizal across the room to the Spanish guests, “Don Segismundo Moret and Don Rafael Maria de Labra, I would like to introduce to you Jose Rizal, one of our brightest senior students studying medicine at our university.”

Morayta adds, “Rizal, as you already know, Don Moret is now Minister of the Interior but when Minister of Overseas Territories under by General Prim he pushed for the abolition of slavery and the creation of a constitution for Puerto Rico. And Don Labra was among the first to propose Cuban autonomy in his magazine. He also works with Catalan activists.” 

Rizal shakes their hands, “It’s a great honor to meet you, Don Moret and Don Labra.”

Labra then says “Thank you for your enlightening speech. It’s unfortunate that we never got to hear something like this before. I believe I am not the only one in Madrid unaware of the demands of the Philippines province.”

Rizal shakes his head, “Of course not, Sir. You surely would not have heard of it. Because the colonia filipina here does not dare talk about the Philippine condition in public for fear of being labeled filibusteros. And you will certainly not hear about it from the governors or administrators who were sent there.”

Moret says, “I cannot agree more with your speech, young man. Spain must learn how to treat our own peoples across the globe better. Otherwise, she will lose what little remains of her overseas domains. It shouldn’t be difficult. Now we only have only the Antilles and Pacific islands left. Cuba and Puerto Rico would already have gained their independence too if not for white slave-owners fearing a Haiti-like slave-led revolution.”

Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) when self-freed slave overthrew French rule.

Labra nods and says, “It’s not like when we were given dominion over literally half of the globe by the Pope. From Mexico to Patagonia, American territories seceded after the end of the Peninsular War. And then we have Carlist Wars of succession and all kind of chaos and instability. Now we are just a second-rate power waiting to be swallowed up by the Great Powers. Our decline has made Britain the world’s superpower controlling global trade. Our royal succession mess caused the  war between France and Prussia and created the German Empire – the very war that also caused the Papal State to lose Rome to Italian unification. What with the Cuba's Ten Year's War and Puerto Rico's Grito de Lares ? The Catalans are also for independence. Who knows what spoil will come out of the Scramble of the Spanish Empire? The US is eyeing Cuba, and Bismarck is already making attempts on our Pacific islands.”

After patiently listening, Rizal politely replies, “But Spain still has us. I doubt if any Powers are interested in the Philippines, except the brief British Occupation during the Seven Years' War, because we have no gold, silver or much spices. But what we do have is the hardworking Filipino people who, given a chance, will provide Spain with all the drive it needs in order to return to the rank of a world-class nation again. Spain must not waste her human potentials, but use all of the brains of all her peoples and treat them equally regardless of whether they are whites, creoles, mestizos, or, like myself, brown indios. Right now, we are second-class citizens even in our own land, despite sharing the same language and customs, while the Spanish-born peninsulares continue to enjoy privileges that native filipinos like us cannot even dream of. I believe that Luna, Hidalgo and many others have clearly shown that we can be as good as peninsulares. So why aren’t we given equal political rights? Unlike the Cubans, we haven’t had representation in the Cortes for decades. That’s why we cannot can raise our voices, where it matters, on the plight of our peoples under the oppression of the friars. How can they call themselves men of God and treat people like beasts?”

Moret nods, “That’s true. Since we lost Mexico along with Zacatecas and Potosí silver to buy Chinese goods, the Acapulco-Manila galleon stopped after 250 years of enriching the empire. The Philippine Province has since been pretty much left a backwater province under the virtual control of the Orders, largely neglected by the remote motherland until Suez Canal.”

Route of the Acapulco-Manila Galleons

Rizal adds, “Yes, sir. All that time, the Orders strengthened their grips on both bodies and minds of the whole society to keep us in an endless cycle of poverty and ignorance. Even the governors who come and go have to rely heavily on them for their control. That’s why several of us found ourselves in Madrid because of the oppression under these friars which has intensified after the Cavite Mutiny of 1872. That cataclysmic event led to the executions of the three secular friars and exiles of many others including Don Paterno's father. Even my own elder brother Paciano also had to leave university and hide.”

Labra says, “I can only imagine what it’s like. But I shuddered when I heard Mr. Jaena said in his excellent speech that, if there is something grand, something sublime, in the Spoliarium, it is because behind the canvas, behind the painted figures there floats the living image of the Filipino people sighing its misfortune. Because the Philippines is nothing more than a real spoliarium with all its horrors.”

Rizal nods emphatically, “Absolutely, Luna's Spoliarium with its bloody carcasses of slave gladiators being dragged away from the arena where they had entertained their Roman oppressors with their lives, stripped to satisfy the lewd contempt of their Roman persecutors with their honor, embodied the essence of our social, moral and political life: humanity in severe ordeal, humanity unredeemed, reason and idealism in open struggle with prejudice, fanaticism and injustice. And Hidalgo’s Christian Virgins speaks of the abuse of our Filipino mothers and sisters. After almost 400 years of Spanish rule, the strong Filipino woman has been subjugated to an absolute patriarchy, completely helpless under the all-male friars’ domination.” 

The executions of GomBurZa after Cavite Mutiny of 1872

At this point, Rizal’s voice trembles again. Hidalgo’s painting reminds him too much of how his mother, whose failing sight compelled him decide to study medicine, was roughly arrested, forced to walk on feet for fifty kilometers to the prison in Santa Cruz, and imprisoned there for over a year.

He sighs, “But how many viewers will see through the Neoclassic façade and see the real inspirations behind them — those like Padres Gomez, Burgos and Zamora who were brutally executed? And how many more will suffer the same fate?”

Morayta adds, “Most urgently, I heard about the ambush against the French in Tonkin which apparently just happened yesterday. I fear the possibility of Spain being pulled into the conflict and Filipino soldiers sent to fight like the slave gladiators in Tonkin to do France’s bidding.”

Labra says, “I certainly hope that will not come to pass. It was horrible that Spain joined France to invade Cochinchina and sent Filipino troops to fight their neighbors at that time not too long ago…”

Moret then extends his hand to Rizal, “I doubt that will happen, and I will do whatever I can to prevent it. Now if you will excuse me, I think I need to leave soon.”

Labra says he too has to leave, so Morayta will walk them out. Rizal shakes their hands, feeling glad to make their acquaintances.

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Juan Luna at his Paris studio

After they left, Rizal grabs more champagne and walks over to Luna. 

“I’m surprised they haven’t taken back your gold medal, amigo! Maybe seeing your Spanish name, they forgot to check that you are not European!” Rizal jokes.

Luna laughs, “I am pretty sure that’s how it went down. But soon after they realized their mistake, they did the next worst thing by denying me the Grand Prize which the top winner deserves, despite having bested two established Spanish-born artists, most probably because they didn’t like the palette of my skin.”  

“I am sure it will be rectified. We could talk to some journalists. You have given them no way to deny that we are equal to them. I am sick of seeing mediocrity elevated to height only by the virtue of its whiteness, and excellence debased due to its color.”

“That makes two of us. Having said that, even if we are still regarded as second class here, it’s still much better than back home where those in power are far more likely to punish than applaud native talents, self-respect and independent spirits. When timing is right, I will try to get my younger brother Antonio to join us here where people battle with ideas not swords. Right now he’s doing a lot of swordsmanship, fencing, and military tactics. I hope he will not enlist and die for Spain. If he needs to fight, it should be for our own native land. He’s way smarter than me, having studied chemistry and all sorts of science. A mind like his should not be wasted.”

Rizal nods emphatically, “You are like my brother Paciano. He sacrificed everything to help get me here.”

“Of course, that’s what brothers do. I’m sure he knows you are here not just to study medicine to heal people but to do greater things and heal the land. I hope more people like you will follow.  People like Del Pilar... I am worried about his safety. He’s already marked because of his brother’s mutiny involvement.”

“I heard that he’s been busy with anti-friar movement which is quite dangerous. I don’t know if that’s wise at this stage. Things can change quickly, and nobody can guarantee his safety there.”

The Blood Compact by Juan Luna

Luna then remembers something. “Talking about politics at home, I have an idea for another painting. I want to paint the scene of the Blood Compact between Datu Sikatuns and Legazpi. Will you help me with research on historical details?” 

Rizal chuckles, “I will even pose for you. But why do you like to paint Romanticism so much? Why not something like those Impressionists?” 

“I guess I could. But indios like us don't have the luxury of doing art for art's sake. I probably would enjoy painting in more modern styles like Goya’s Tres de Mayo or Diasters of War, but the Europeans sure love Romanticism too much. Maybe it gratifies them with a feeling of imperial superiority like the Romans. And it offers relevant themes I can paint our situations with. ”

Luna then leans closer, “I will let you in on a secret. I didn’t even know what a spoliarium was, until one day I visited the Colosseum and a guide told me that it’s where the bodies of dead and dying gladiators were laid. After the tour, I went back there by myself and, right there, at that bleakest spot, I had a vision of a people shackled and oppressed. It wasn’t any slave gladiators but our own people under Spanish rule. That’s when I knew I had to paint it… So, yes, while Goya can be outspoken with his Disasters of War, an Indio like me have to paint Spoliarium and Death of Cleopatra in the style that they cherish.”

“I see. The Egyptian queen is a splendid early heroine of anti-colonial resistance. A subtle slap in the empire’s face.”

“Of course, you wouldn’t want me to stab them with a bamboo spear like Lapulapu did to Magellan, right?”

Rizal laughs, “Of course not. This is not exactly the Battle of Mactan.”

The Battle of Mactan 1521 when Magenllan was killed by local hero Lapu-Lapu

At this point, someone speaks out in a drunken voice, “There are other ways we can best them. Sure, we cannot kill them in battles and we don’t all have Luna’s genius to win a contest. But we can take their women, as they have taken ours before. That’s the best proof that we are equal if not better than them.”  

Rizal loudly objects, “I sure hope we can prove in other ways that we are better especially in the way we treat as equals those who look different from us.”  

For some time now, Rizal has become agitated with his friends’ preference of sexual conquests over intellectual ones. A few months ago, they were talking about reviving the Circulo Hispano-Filipino and co-writing a book together, but most of them only wanted to write about women.

He laments, “Is there nothing to remind them that the Filipino does not come to Europe to enjoy himself, but to work for his liberty and for the dignity of the race? The years of their youth should be used for something more noble and grand because the people back home have placed their hopes on them. They are among the tiny minority of elites lucky enough to get Western-style education and speaks Spanish – the language of the rulers. What a waste!”

He then wonders, while some of his friends are wasting their time far from home, how many more Lunas and Hidalgos are slaving dying away in the rice fields and sugar plantations in the Philippines without ever the chance to hold a plume or a brush? How many in the world for that matter?

Somehow the sad image of a wretched young Egyptian man running alongside Rizal’s ship at Suez Canal picking up the bread that passengers on board threw to him returns to the Filipino’s mind. It was early June 1882 when he passed through the canal which since its opening in 1869 had brought more Filipinos to Spain — some to escape post-1872 persecution. 

It was the very thought of the Cavite Mutiny that led Rizal to exchange political comments with the Egyptian quarantine physician who came on board. He was told that Egypt was in the midst of a revolutionary change. The popular Minister of War Urabi had overthrown the former ruler Khedive Tawfiq in a coup, and the whole country seemed to be behind the general. After arriving in Spain, Rizal imagined that the situations for Egyptian people like the bread-begging young man he saw would soon improve once the tyrannical government was removed, but a few months later he heard that Britain had sent troops to crush Urabi’s army and exiled him to Ceylon and he remembered that it was also in Egypt when he heard for the first time the mother-song of revolutions, La Marseillaise.

Rizal makes up his mind. He will use his own literary talents, like when he bedazzled Manila in a competition with his Consejo de los Dioses  against those born and bred in Spain — to write his own Spoliarium, on behalf of those who don’t have such opportunities like him and for the sake of the Filipino people. He had been toying with an idea of a book since January. Now it became clear to him that he will write a novel that will expose the ills of Philippine society. Partly inspired by Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, it will be called Noli Me Tangere.

NEXT on 1884

0001 India in 1884: The Reach of the Brutish Empire

March 1, 1884.
Bombay

My dear friend Lord Randoph Churchill,

Today looking back at India gradually receding away, I was overwhelmed with feelings of hopes and fear. Although much has been accomplished, I felt the same vague sense of helplessness like exactly two years ago upon leaving Egypt. So I wanted to write to you now, even though I will only be able to post it when our ship arrives in Paris where Anne and I will stop for a few days..

From an aesthetic point of view nothing can be more seductive to a stranger from the West, or more surprising, than the spectacle of Hindu worship at one of these ancient shrines—the processions of women to some lonely grove by the water-side on holiday afternoons with their offerings of rice and flowers, the old-world music of pipe and tabour, the priests, the incense, the painted statues of the immortal gods, the lighted fire, the joyous sacrifices consumed with laughter by the worshippers. No one can see this without emotion, nor, again, witness the gatherings of tens of thousands clothed in white in the great temples of Southern India for the yearly festivals, and not acknowledge the wonderful continuity of thought which unites modern India with its European kindred of pre-Christian days. 

Meenakshi Temple, Madura

The worship of idols here is a reality such as untravelled Englishmen know only from their classics. The temples of Madura and Seringam are more wonderful and imposing in their structure than all the edifices of Europe put together, and the special interest is that they are not dead things. The buyers and the sellers still ply their trade in the porticoes, the birds have their nests beneath the eaves. There are sacred elephants and sacred apes. The priests chaunt still round lighted braziers. The brazen bulls are anointed each festival day with oil, the foreheads of the worshippers with ochre. There is a scent of flowers and incense, and the business of religion goes on continuous from old time, perhaps a little slacker, on account of the increasing poverty of the people, but not less methodically, or as a living part of men’s daily existence. 

When I had seen Madura I felt that I had at last seen a temple of Babylon in all its glory, and understood what the worship of Apis might have been in Egypt. This worship of the gods—not any theological or moral teaching—is the foundation of the Hindu religion, and what is still its distinguishing feature.

Because of us the English, the friendly bond between Egypt and India through the exchange of trade, religion and education over centuries have now been replaced by an ugly tie of Great Powers politics. With its shortcut to India — the lynch pin of the British Empire – by 4000 miles, the Suez Canal’s opening 15 years ago sealed the fate for Egypt. After Disraeli, with a massive loan from his friend Lionel de Rothschild, snapped up the bankrupt Khedive Isma'il’s shares for Britain in 1875, Gladstone made the final break from thirteen years of compromise with France and pretended respect for the Ottoman Sultan by sending troops under the pretext to suppress Urabi’s uprising and began the bombardment of Alexandria and occupation.