role of spiritual capital was held by Ambohimanga. In keeping with the two coexistant cosmological notions predominant in traditional Imerina that valued the center with its radiating cardinal points as well as the conceptualization of the northeast as sacred, Antananarivo was viewed as the center of Imerina, and Ambohimanga is located to its northeast.
Upon the accession of Queen Ranavalona I to the throne in 1828, swine were forbidden at Ambohimanga due to their association with Europeans, who had propagated pork as a food source in the decade prior. The French removed the forests remaining on the neighboring hilltops in the early 20th century
