Ranavalona I (born Rabodoandrianampoinimerina (also called Ramavo around 1778)   also known as Ranavalo-Manjaka I, was sovereign of the Kingdom of Madagascar from 1828 to 1861. After positioning herself as queen following the death of her young husband, Radama I, Ranavalona pursued a policy of isolationism and self-sufficiency, reducing economic and political ties with European powers, repelling a French attack on the coastal town of Foulpointe, and taking vigorous measures to eradicate the small but growing Malagasy Christian movement initiated under Radama I. (Source Wikipedia)

Her story is not well known, but very fascinating.

Acapella Song by Malagasy boy's group: Zaza Kanto (To find out more about this group of street children using their voice as a talent, please visit: ZazaKanto.com. There you can also donate to support them).

Giraffe's Eggs (the book), available at http://bit.ly/GiraffesEggs