Y Daith: Dyffryn Aeron i Fadagascar

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-ORGAN MUSIC	0:00:20	0:00:22
-HYMN SINGING	0:00:27	0:00:30
-Like many others, I have passed -this chapel on several occasions...	0:00:39	0:00:43
-..without ever realizing -its significance.	0:00:44	0:00:46
-It was here at Neuadd-lwyd, -near Aberaeron, 200 years ago...	0:00:47	0:00:51
-..that an incredible journey began.	0:00:51	0:00:54
-When these young people...	0:00:54	0:00:57
-..who were 21 or 22 years of age...	0:00:57	0:00:59
-..left here in 1818, they had -no idea what was ahead of them.	0:01:00	0:01:05
-It was an epic adventure and a -stunning chapter in Welsh history.	0:01:05	0:01:10
-In 1818, two young men -left their homes in rural Wales...	0:01:10	0:01:14
-..and set out for Madagascar...	0:01:14	0:01:18
-..a country that had barely -been touched by white people.	0:01:18	0:01:22
-David Jones, Thomas Bevan and their -wives headed to the Indian Ocean...	0:01:22	0:01:27
-..to become missionaries.	0:01:27	0:01:29
-But they were soon beset -by personal tragedy.	0:01:29	0:01:32
-I feel deeply for them.	0:01:33	0:01:36
-I think about how young they were -going out there.	0:01:36	0:01:41
-They risked their lives for God.	0:01:43	0:01:45
-The National Library: the letters -of David Jones and Thomas Bevan.	0:01:46	0:01:50
-"Ninth of July.	0:01:51	0:01:53
-"Dear friend, following -a 15-week voyage from Falmouth...	0:01:53	0:01:57
-"..we arrived safely in Mauritius.	0:01:57	0:02:00
-"We were given a warm welcome...	0:02:00	0:02:02
-"..but were advised not to venture -to Madagascar...	0:02:03	0:02:06
-"..because few Europeans -could survive there."	0:02:06	0:02:09
-I'm going to follow -in their footsteps...	0:02:12	0:02:15
-..and try to understand -why they would risk so much...	0:02:15	0:02:19
-..to save the souls -of others overseas.	0:02:19	0:02:22
-Their journey was arduous.	0:02:22	0:02:24
-They had to sail -to British Mauritius first...	0:02:25	0:02:28
-..whereas I could fly straight -to the capital, Antananarivo.	0:02:28	0:02:33
-As a Unitarian, a denomination -believing in freedom of thought...	0:02:34	0:02:39
-..the idea of going as a missionary -to another country is baffling.	0:02:39	0:02:44
-There's also tension between -evangelism and practical religion.	0:02:44	0:02:48
-Is it preaching or helping?	0:02:48	0:02:50
-Those are the questions.	0:02:50	0:02:53
-But I also admire -the strength of conviction...	0:02:53	0:02:56
-..that sent the Congregationalists -on such a big adventure.	0:02:56	0:03:01
-They had to start -from the very beginning.	0:03:06	0:03:09
-They had to get to know the people -and learn their language.	0:03:09	0:03:13
-Everything was new to them.	0:03:13	0:03:15
-There wasn't as much difference -in standards of living...	0:03:15	0:03:20
-..as there is today, -strangely enough.	0:03:20	0:03:23
-But everything else -was alien to them...	0:03:23	0:03:27
-..from the customs -to the pagan religion.	0:03:27	0:03:30
-It was all new.	0:03:30	0:03:32
-Our journey in Madagascar...	0:03:33	0:03:35
-..begins on the cliffs -above the capital, Antananarivo.	0:03:36	0:03:39
-This was the location -of the king's palace 200 years ago.	0:03:40	0:03:45
-It was in this very place...	0:03:46	0:03:48
-..that David Jones would have met -King Radama for the first time.	0:03:48	0:03:53
-We're going to try and follow -in their footsteps.	0:03:53	0:03:56
-We know of some places they visited, -but the rest is guesswork.	0:03:56	0:04:01
-We'll ask people what they remember -and their opinions of them.	0:04:01	0:04:06
-We'll also find out -whether they had any real impact.	0:04:06	0:04:10
-They came as missionaries -to improve people's quality of life.	0:04:10	0:04:14
-Our task is to discover -as much as we can.	0:04:15	0:04:19
-The first step is to explore -this area to see what we find.	0:04:19	0:04:23
-NATIVE SINGING	0:04:24	0:04:26
-Here, where hymns -and native songs meet...	0:04:53	0:04:56
-..lives a sisterhood where -Eleri Edwards spent seven years.	0:04:56	0:05:00
-Her motivation wasn't very different -from that of the first missionaries.	0:05:01	0:05:05
-I wanted to share -what I'd discovered about my faith.	0:05:05	0:05:11
-The Bible is special to me...	0:05:11	0:05:14
-..and I hoped I'd have the chance -to share its teachings.	0:05:14	0:05:18
-But I soon realized that I wasn't -going to be able to do that.	0:05:18	0:05:24
-I had to experience -living alongside these people.	0:05:24	0:05:29
-Sometimes in rural areas...	0:05:29	0:05:31
-..people were enslaved -by the old religion.	0:05:31	0:05:34
-The Malagasy themselves say...	0:05:35	0:05:38
-..that Christianity -has not only freed them...	0:05:38	0:05:42
-..but has also helped them -to move on in life...	0:05:42	0:05:45
-..and evolve in an incredible way.	0:05:45	0:05:48
-The Church's Record Office	0:05:53	0:05:57
-When the missionaries first landed, -the old religion ruled.	0:05:57	0:06:01
-There are books and documents -that prove the challenge they faced.	0:06:02	0:06:06
-It states how the population -adhered tightly to these beliefs...	0:06:09	0:06:14
-..with their idols and hierarchy.	0:06:15	0:06:17
-They also made sacrifices -to benefit and keep evil at bay.	0:06:17	0:06:22
-We also know that they believed -in certain rituals.	0:06:22	0:06:25
-There were lucky days -and lucky colours.	0:06:25	0:06:28
-They believed in doing and not doing -things at specific times.	0:06:28	0:06:33
-Witch doctors -more or less governed their lives.	0:06:33	0:06:36
-There are some sick people -with medical problems...	0:06:41	0:06:46
-..that we'd call mental problems.	0:06:47	0:06:49
-They think that the witch doctors -can cure them, but they can't.	0:06:49	0:06:53
-When they finally turn -to the Church...	0:06:53	0:06:55
-..their relief is incredible to see.	0:06:56	0:06:58
-It's hard to imagine -the poverty that they live in...	0:07:00	0:07:04
-..without seeing it for ourselves.	0:07:05	0:07:08
-They're malnourished, -both physically and mentally.	0:07:09	0:07:13
-They exist on nothing. -They're poor in every possible way.	0:07:13	0:07:17
-Christianity brings light -into their lives.	0:07:18	0:07:21
-I say that -because I've witnessed it.	0:07:22	0:07:24
-NATIVE SINGING	0:07:26	0:07:28
-After seeing where the missionaries -worked in the capital...	0:07:35	0:07:39
-..I travelled -to the seaside city of Tamatave...	0:07:39	0:07:42
-..where they landed -for the first time.	0:07:43	0:07:45
-I had no idea what to expect.	0:07:46	0:07:49
-I felt as though I was doing God -a huge favour.	0:07:49	0:07:53
-That I was going...	0:07:53	0:07:55
-..to a primitive place, not knowing -what it was going to be like.	0:07:56	0:08:00
-But when I arrived, -it was the exact opposite.	0:08:01	0:08:05
-It was a beautiful country -full of light...	0:08:05	0:08:08
-..and courteous, happy people.	0:08:08	0:08:10
-# Hallelujah, hallelujah	0:08:11	0:08:13
-# Hallelujah... #	0:08:14	0:08:17
-"Madagascar is a beautiful island -and its people are kind and gentle.	0:08:17	0:08:22
-"They are neither monsters nor wild, -as they have been described."	0:08:22	0:08:27
-I also witnessed their kindness -on my way to the church...	0:08:28	0:08:31
-..near where the missionaries landed.	0:08:31	0:08:34
-In a passionate service, surrounded -by the sound of familiar hymns...	0:08:34	0:08:39
-..I was welcomed -by the congregation...	0:08:39	0:08:42
-..before being led to the beach.	0:08:42	0:08:44
-It was here on this very beach...	0:08:44	0:08:47
-..that David Jones and Thomas Bevan -first landed.	0:08:47	0:08:51
-They would have been brought ashore -in one of the ship's smaller boats.	0:08:51	0:08:57
-They arrived on this beach for the -very first time on 8 August, 1818.	0:08:57	0:09:02
-They opened an experimental school -for some five weeks.	0:09:02	0:09:07
-"On 7 September, we started -our school with two children.	0:09:11	0:09:15
-"Within a fortnight -we had ten very promising pupils...	0:09:15	0:09:19
-"..who were very eager to learn.	0:09:19	0:09:22
-"The leaders are happy for us -to educate their children.	0:09:23	0:09:26
-"They say that if their children -are taught to read and write...	0:09:27	0:09:33
-"..and to love God and their -fellow man, there will be no wars."	0:09:33	0:09:37
-# Dal Fi Fy Nuw, Dal Fi I'r Lan #	0:09:40	0:09:43
-"Within a fortnight, -they all knew the alphabet.	0:10:05	0:10:09
-"They could write it in the sand...	0:10:09	0:10:11
-"..and five of them -could write it on paper.	0:10:12	0:10:15
-"After six successful weeks, -we decided to return to Mauritius...	0:10:15	0:10:20
-"..to collect our families -and belongings...	0:10:20	0:10:23
-"..and bring them to Madagascar."	0:10:24	0:10:26
-Those families were Mary Jones -and her two-month-old daughter...	0:10:33	0:10:38
-..and Louisa Bevan, -who was expecting her first child.	0:10:38	0:10:42
-The intention was for them -to join the Madagascan mission.	0:10:42	0:10:47
-"Sixth of November, 1818.	0:10:49	0:10:51
-"God has blessed us -with a healthy baby boy.	0:10:51	0:10:54
-"He breathed for the first time -on 15 October at 5.10pm.	0:10:54	0:10:59
-"We have called him Iago...	0:10:59	0:11:02
-"..and pray to God -to give him an evangelical soul...	0:11:02	0:11:06
-"..so that he may preach -in Madagascar.	0:11:06	0:11:09
-"He and his mother -are both strong and healthy."	0:11:09	0:11:13
-But then illness struck, -so David Jones and his family...	0:11:15	0:11:19
-..returned for the second time.	0:11:19	0:11:22
-Within some six weeks, -the child and Mary Jones had died.	0:11:22	0:11:26
-In the meantime, Thomas Bevan -and his family were on their way...	0:11:27	0:11:31
-..but had heard nothing -of the deaths.	0:11:31	0:11:34
-Within a few days, Thomas Bevan -and his wife and child were dead.	0:11:34	0:11:39
-David Jones -was the only one to survive.	0:11:39	0:11:42
-Despite all kinds of difficulties...	0:11:42	0:11:45
-..he stayed and continued -his missionary work.	0:11:45	0:11:48
-.	0:11:53	0:11:54
-888	0:11:58	0:11:58
-888 - -888	0:11:58	0:12:00
-Despite being in Madagascar -for only a few weeks...	0:12:03	0:12:07
-..the memory of Thomas Bevan -and David Jones is kept alive.	0:12:07	0:12:11
-Streets and schools in Tamatave -have been named after them.	0:12:11	0:12:15
-It's fitting because education -was important to them.	0:12:15	0:12:18
-The success of that first -experimental school in Tamatave...	0:12:19	0:12:23
-..has ensured its survival.	0:12:23	0:12:25
-The school was renamed in 1968 -in memory of Thomas Bevan.	0:12:32	0:12:36
-It has more than 800 pupils, -ranging from nursery age to 22.	0:12:36	0:12:41
-There are large classes with nothing -more than a blackboard and chalk.	0:12:41	0:12:48
-Government officials -have been educated here.	0:12:48	0:12:52
-But if parents can't afford to send -their children to university...	0:12:52	0:12:56
-..they could very well end up -riding taxi bikes in the city.	0:12:56	0:13:01
-Before leaving Tamatave, -I had to visit the chapel...	0:13:10	0:13:14
-..that's built on the site -of the first experimental school.	0:13:14	0:13:18
-During her training...	0:13:18	0:13:20
-..the new minister -had learned about the missionaries.	0:13:20	0:13:24
-SHE SPEAKS FRENCH	0:13:24	0:13:26
-She knew that the first school -had been set up here...	0:13:29	0:13:33
-..and that the children -wrote in the sand.	0:13:33	0:13:36
-She also knew -that Thomas Bevan had died...	0:13:36	0:13:39
-..and that he and his family -were buried here.	0:13:40	0:13:43
-But nobody knew exactly where.	0:13:43	0:13:45
-On an average Sunday, -1,200 locals come to the chapel.	0:13:48	0:13:53
-That rises to 1,600 -over Easter and Christmas.	0:13:53	0:13:57
-The words written above the pulpit -make reference to good deeds.	0:13:57	0:14:01
-They work with the poor -and socially deprived.	0:14:05	0:14:07
-They deal with poverty -and unemployment...	0:14:08	0:14:11
-..as well as crime -and prisoner rehabilitation.	0:14:11	0:14:14
-It was on this site...	0:14:16	0:14:17
-..that David Jones and Thomas Bevan -ran their school for five weeks.	0:14:17	0:14:22
-For many, it was the beginning -of education in Madagascar.	0:14:22	0:14:26
-At the time, there must have -only been a cluster of houses here.	0:14:26	0:14:30
-Now, it's a desperately poor suburb -within a big, bustling city.	0:14:31	0:14:36
-The work that began 200 years ago -is continuing here to this day.	0:14:37	0:14:42
-The work of believing and doing.	0:14:42	0:14:45
-I was about to leave -when an elderly lady approached me.	0:14:47	0:14:50
-She was the chapel's oldest member.	0:14:51	0:14:53
-She knew the exact location -of the Bevan family's grave.	0:14:53	0:14:57
-There was no headstone -for fear of vandalism.	0:14:58	0:15:01
-SHE SPEAKS FRENCH	0:15:01	0:15:03
-Her husband worked here -as a caretaker.	0:15:09	0:15:12
-One day, a hole had to be made -in the ground.	0:15:12	0:15:15
-That's when the bones -were discovered.	0:15:15	0:15:18
-Human bones.	0:15:18	0:15:21
-That's how she knows -that this is where Thomas Bevan...	0:15:21	0:15:24
-..and his family are buried.	0:15:25	0:15:27
-It's hard to imagine the loneliness -that David Jones must have felt.	0:15:36	0:15:40
-The slave traders were against him -and he was desperately ill.	0:15:40	0:15:46
-Following a period of recuperation -in Mauritius...	0:15:46	0:15:50
-..he returned to Madagascar -to continue his adventure.	0:15:50	0:15:54
-CHILDREN SING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE	0:15:54	0:15:57
-It was obviously an adventure -for me too.	0:16:04	0:16:07
-But I trust God, -and have done since I was young.	0:16:07	0:16:12
-It definitely helped me.	0:16:13	0:16:15
-That's what gave me the strength -to go there...	0:16:16	0:16:19
-..and the strength -to carry out the work.	0:16:20	0:16:22
-In 1820, David Jones returned.	0:16:27	0:16:30
-This time, he went to Antananarivo -to seek King Radama's support.	0:16:30	0:16:35
-After mountains like church spires -and footpaths like stairs...	0:16:38	0:16:42
-..David Jones arrived -in a woody area similar to this.	0:16:42	0:16:46
-One of the reasons -that he came here as a missionary...	0:16:47	0:16:50
-..was to end the slave trade.	0:16:50	0:16:52
-Madagascan people believed...	0:16:52	0:16:54
-..that their children -were being stolen, fattened up...	0:16:54	0:16:58
-..and fed to the white people.	0:16:58	0:17:00
-David Jones -saw a heartbreaking sight.	0:17:00	0:17:03
-Merchants on their way to Tamatave -with a huge train of slaves in tow.	0:17:03	0:17:09
-"It was awful to see -so many human beings in irons...	0:17:11	0:17:15
-"..being driven out of their homes -to be sold at market.	0:17:15	0:17:19
-"So many children of seven years old -taken from their parents.	0:17:19	0:17:23
-"If a similar number were driven -through the streets of London...	0:17:24	0:17:29
-"..and sold as sheep in Smithfield, -it would sadden every soul.	0:17:29	0:17:34
-"They would work hard -to prevent such trading."	0:17:34	0:17:37
-Slavery may not exist any more, -but children are still suffering.	0:17:40	0:17:45
-This former missionary house -is now a home for needy children.	0:17:45	0:17:50
-Just as the missionaries' wives -learned practical skills...	0:17:51	0:17:55
-..these young people are also -learning vocational skills.	0:17:55	0:18:00
-Conditions are better here, but many -are from unfortunate backgrounds.	0:18:00	0:18:05
-Some have lost families from curable -illnesses, some have been abused.	0:18:05	0:18:10
-Others have been wrongfully accused -of a crime...	0:18:10	0:18:13
-..by a master or relation -who no longer wants them.	0:18:13	0:18:16
-Bonjour.	0:18:20	0:18:21
-Bonjour. - -Bonjour.	0:18:21	0:18:23
-Je voudrais apprendre comment on dit -merci en Malagache.	0:18:23	0:18:28
-Misaotre.	0:18:28	0:18:31
-Misaotre, oui?	0:18:31	0:18:33
-Et comment on dit...?	0:18:34	0:18:36
-Only 30% of the Madagascan -population earn a wage.	0:18:36	0:18:39
-Everyone else lives from hand -to mouth on a dollar a day or less.	0:18:40	0:18:44
-When sick, they have to choose -between medicine or food.	0:18:44	0:18:48
-It will be difficult -for these children to find a job...	0:18:48	0:18:52
-..if they aren't well connected.	0:18:52	0:18:55
-David Jones would have been only -too aware of situations like these.	0:18:55	0:19:00
-Schools offering skills and caring -for poor and orphaned children.	0:19:00	0:19:06
-But I can't help thinking -that he'd be dismayed...	0:19:06	0:19:10
-..that such a place -was needed today...	0:19:10	0:19:12
-..and even more dismayed -by why the children had to come here.	0:19:13	0:19:18
-The abuse, the poverty -and Madagascar's social problems.	0:19:18	0:19:22
-I think that he'd agree with me -that practical Christianity...	0:19:23	0:19:27
-..would be the most important thing -here today.	0:19:27	0:19:30
-Bonjour!	0:19:32	0:19:34
-The aim of the chapel's -current projects...	0:19:36	0:19:39
-..is to teach the Madagascan people -self-sufficiency.	0:19:40	0:19:44
-SHE SPEAKS FRENCH	0:19:45	0:19:47
-This project is about getting people -to grow their own vegetables...	0:19:48	0:19:52
-..by using sand, rice husks, sawdust -and old bags and bottles as pots.	0:19:52	0:19:57
-Improving health -and recycling waste.	0:19:58	0:20:01
-One simple concept -serving numerous needs.	0:20:01	0:20:05
-NATIVE SINGING	0:20:08	0:20:10
-Jones was the first missionary -to make this journey to Antananarivo.	0:20:25	0:20:30
-The slave traders -tried to thwart him.	0:20:30	0:20:32
-But his first task -was to persuade King Radama...	0:20:32	0:20:36
-..to allow missionaries in at all.	0:20:37	0:20:39
-As far as I can tell, there aren't -many ancient buildings left.	0:20:39	0:20:43
-But we can be certain -that this was here...	0:20:44	0:20:47
-..when David Jones -first arrived in 1820.	0:20:47	0:20:50
-He would have certainly -passed through the palace gate.	0:20:50	0:20:56
-After being granted permission -by the king to enter...	0:20:56	0:21:00
-..the cannon would be fired and -soldiers would take him to Radama.	0:21:00	0:21:06
-But David Jones entered -without knowing what awaited him.	0:21:06	0:21:10
-Would he be warmly welcomed -or would his life be in danger?	0:21:10	0:21:14
-The king's invitation to enter -was very important.	0:21:14	0:21:18
-They weren't about to conquer -the country.	0:21:19	0:21:22
-King Radama was a shrewd man.	0:21:22	0:21:24
-He knew that if he wanted...	0:21:24	0:21:26
-..to keep the French -and British empires at bay...	0:21:26	0:21:30
-..he needed to be educated.	0:21:30	0:21:32
-He came to an agreement -with Robert Farquhar...	0:21:32	0:21:36
-..a colonial governor -in Mauritius...	0:21:36	0:21:39
-..that he would abolish slavery...	0:21:39	0:21:42
-..if people came to Madagascar -to educate his people.	0:21:42	0:21:46
-That's how the missionaries -were allowed in.	0:21:46	0:21:49
-Among them was David Griffiths, -another student at Neuadd-lwyd.	0:21:53	0:21:58
-He came over to work -alongside David Jones in 1822.	0:21:58	0:22:02
-By the time he arrived, a school had -been set up for the upper classes.	0:22:02	0:22:07
-But I knew that David Griffiths -had opened his own school.	0:22:07	0:22:11
-A plaque was laid in his honour -at this training college.	0:22:12	0:22:16
-Some of the students -joined me on my quest.	0:22:17	0:22:20
-I want to ask how much do you know, -without reading a book...	0:22:22	0:22:27
-..about David Griffiths -and David Jones?	0:22:27	0:22:30
-SHE SPEAKS MALAGASY	0:22:33	0:22:35
-The way we've understood it...	0:22:43	0:22:45
-..is that there was a school -in the royal palace...	0:22:46	0:22:49
-..as well as a second school.	0:22:49	0:22:51
-Where was the second school?	0:22:51	0:22:53
-SHE SPEAKS MALAGASY	0:22:54	0:22:56
-That went better than expected.	0:23:07	0:23:10
-We knew that there was a plaque -commemorating David Griffiths...	0:23:10	0:23:14
-..and that his school -was located somewhere in this area.	0:23:15	0:23:19
-They knew about Thomas Bevan -and David Jones ...	0:23:19	0:23:22
-..but with some research, -we established...	0:23:22	0:23:26
-..that this was the site -of David Griffiths's school.	0:23:26	0:23:29
-There was another school -for the upper classes...	0:23:29	0:23:33
-..but this school for the ordinary -children was the most significant.	0:23:33	0:23:37
-"Fifteenth of June, 1822.	0:23:39	0:23:42
-"A report by David Jones.	0:23:42	0:23:44
-"I established a school -in November 1820...	0:23:44	0:23:48
-"..under King Radama's patronage.	0:23:48	0:23:51
-"Many of the children -are gifted pupils...	0:23:51	0:23:54
-"..and I hope that they will be -a blessing to their country one day.	0:23:54	0:23:59
-"David Griffiths has opened a school -where he will teach 200 pupils.	0:23:59	0:24:03
-"Mrs Griffiths -will tutor the girls...	0:24:03	0:24:06
-"..many of whom -are determined to learn."	0:24:06	0:24:09
-He clearly made great strides -in teaching children to read...	0:24:09	0:24:14
-..so that they, in turn, -could teach others.	0:24:14	0:24:17
-The sole purpose was to enable -people to read the Bible.	0:24:17	0:24:22
-He then set about translating -the Bible...	0:24:23	0:24:26
-..with the aid of those he'd taught.	0:24:26	0:24:29
-They were incredible linguists.	0:24:30	0:24:32
-They were teenagers -before they learnt English.	0:24:33	0:24:38
-They went to missionary college -and learnt French.	0:24:39	0:24:43
-David Jones had books on Persian, -Arabic and Aramaic grammar.	0:24:43	0:24:47
-They learnt Hebrew and Greek -while studying theology.	0:24:48	0:24:52
-They then had to learn Malagasy...	0:24:52	0:24:55
-..which was different -from any other language.	0:24:55	0:24:58
-Cette une pharmacie, mais je crois -que vous avez le Bible?	0:24:59	0:25:03
-A Malagasy Bible is testament -to the work of the missionaries...	0:25:03	0:25:09
-..found in a pharmacy, -of all places.	0:25:09	0:25:12
-This represented -the city's social bible.	0:25:12	0:25:15
-It preserved -the mind and body's well-being.	0:25:16	0:25:19
-The Welsh influence was evident.	0:25:19	0:25:21
-Despite one English missionary's -objections...	0:25:21	0:25:24
-..they kept the orthography simple, -as in the Welsh version.	0:25:25	0:25:29
-David Griffiths describes -the argument they had...	0:25:30	0:25:33
-..with Mr Jeffreys, -the missionary from England.	0:25:34	0:25:37
-Mr Jeffreys influenced the king...	0:25:37	0:25:41
-..and turned him against the idea...	0:25:41	0:25:44
-..calling Welsh -a mean and barbarous language.	0:25:44	0:25:49
-The letter then continues in Welsh.	0:25:51	0:25:54
-"The king was unaware -that the A, E, I, O, U, Y...	0:25:54	0:25:59
-"..was taken from the Welsh language -as well as the French."	0:26:00	0:26:05
-They gave the king two versions -so that he could decide.	0:26:05	0:26:10
-The phonetic version -and John Jeffreys's version.	0:26:10	0:26:15
-Of course, the king found -the Welsh text far easier to read.	0:26:15	0:26:20
-The Welsh version was accepted.	0:26:20	0:26:23
-# Dal Fi Fy Nuw, Dal Fi I'r Lan #	0:26:23	0:26:26
-His success was obvious because, -by 1824, the country had 32 schools.	0:26:31	0:26:36
-David Jones and David Griffiths -worked as teachers and supervisors.	0:26:36	0:26:40
-The wives also taught the girls.	0:26:41	0:26:44
-The missionaries preached -to thousands every weekend.	0:26:44	0:26:49
-"The chapel was full -an hour before worship.	0:26:50	0:26:53
-"Hundreds gathered at the windows -and in the front yard.	0:26:54	0:26:58
-"Some had travelled -20 or 40 miles...	0:26:58	0:27:01
-"..on both the Friday -and the Saturday...	0:27:02	0:27:05
-"..just to hear God's word."	0:27:05	0:27:07
-FEMALE SPEAKS MALAGASY	0:27:07	0:27:10
-The Welsh placed great emphasis -on translating the Bible.	0:27:16	0:27:20
-By March 1830, -the New Testament was finished.	0:27:20	0:27:24
-In ten years, the missionaries were -fluent in the Madagascan language...	0:27:24	0:27:30
-..and were able to preach -and translate the scriptures.	0:27:30	0:27:34
-FEMALE SPEAKS MALAGASY	0:27:35	0:27:37
-Within a short time and with -the support of King Radama...	0:27:42	0:27:46
-..all was going well.	0:27:46	0:27:48
-But things were about to change, -for the country and for them.	0:27:48	0:27:52
-.	0:27:52	0:27:52
-888	0:27:55	0:27:55
-888 - -888	0:27:55	0:27:57
-So this is the cemetery?	0:28:04	0:28:06
-You have to translate.	0:28:06	0:28:08
-"This memorial stone..."	0:28:08	0:28:11
-The country enjoyed a golden era -under King Radama's reign.	0:28:12	0:28:16
-Many missionaries and craftsmen -worked in the city.	0:28:16	0:28:20
-My guide took me to see a journalist -who had researched the missionaries.	0:28:20	0:28:24
-He also showed me -where they were buried.	0:28:25	0:28:28
-"He got malaria and died.	0:28:28	0:28:32
-"And Mr Charles Hovenden...	0:28:32	0:28:35
-"..was sent to teach the Malagasy -print for the New Testament.	0:28:36	0:28:41
-But he went ill -as well of malaria...	0:28:41	0:28:45
-"..and died quickly -in Antananarivo...	0:28:46	0:28:48
-"..on 15 December, 1826."	0:28:49	0:28:52
-Once again, -I learnt much more than expected.	0:28:52	0:28:56
-I knew that there was a plaque -for Thomas Bevan and the wives...	0:28:56	0:29:00
-..but that stone tells me more -about their earlier history.	0:29:00	0:29:04
-It mentions Thomas Bevan, -Mrs Bevan and Mrs Jones...	0:29:04	0:29:08
-..and the children -who died shortly after arriving.	0:29:08	0:29:11
-But it also mentions -what happened later.	0:29:12	0:29:15
-Hovenden was meant to come here -to print the New Testament.	0:29:15	0:29:20
-But he died before establishing -the printing press.	0:29:20	0:29:24
-But it also mentions Cameron, -the builder...	0:29:24	0:29:28
-..in whose building -the press was assembled.	0:29:28	0:29:31
-That was somewhere around here.	0:29:31	0:29:34
-Maybe in this spot or close by.	0:29:34	0:29:36
-We've been made aware -of other facts.	0:29:36	0:29:39
-There's also mention -of a fourth Welsh missionary.	0:29:39	0:29:43
-David Johns, originally Jones.	0:29:43	0:29:46
-He later built this very church.	0:29:46	0:29:49
-The Welshmen were continuing -their work when it all changed.	0:29:50	0:29:54
-King Radama died, -and one of his wives seized power.	0:29:54	0:29:59
-"We've lost in him a strong -defender and avid supporter.	0:29:59	0:30:04
-"The missionaries lost in him -a gentle father...	0:30:04	0:30:08
-"..and a faithful, -warm-hearted friend."	0:30:09	0:30:12
-THEY SING IN MALAGASY	0:30:15	0:30:18
-Under Queen Ranavalona's reign, -the missionaries' success...	0:30:23	0:30:27
-..became their downfall.	0:30:27	0:30:30
-David Griffiths's regular baptisms -angered the senior officials...	0:30:31	0:30:35
-..who favoured the old religion.	0:30:35	0:30:37
-They claimed that the Almighty Lord -was a threat to her power.	0:30:37	0:30:41
-A battle between religion -and politics ensued.	0:30:41	0:30:44
-In 1835, the queen announced...	0:30:44	0:30:46
-..that Christian preaching -and worship was forbidden.	0:30:47	0:30:50
-On the last Sunday of February...	0:30:50	0:30:52
-..David Griffiths delivered his -final sermon on the main island.	0:30:53	0:30:57
-SHE SPEAKS MALAGASY	0:30:58	0:31:00
-"On the first of March, 1835...	0:31:05	0:31:07
-"..the island's Christian religion -had been terminated.	0:31:08	0:31:12
-"Whoever renounced -the country's religion...	0:31:12	0:31:16
-"..in favour of Christianity...	0:31:16	0:31:20
-"..or read the books...	0:31:20	0:31:22
-"..containing the words Jehovah or -Jesus Christ would be put to death."	0:31:22	0:31:27
-She was an incredibly cruel queen.	0:31:28	0:31:31
-She was against the Christians.	0:31:31	0:31:33
-Things rapidly deteriorated...	0:31:34	0:31:37
-..and the Malagasy Christians -were persecuted and executed.	0:31:37	0:31:42
-There were countless martyrs -among the Malagasy.	0:31:42	0:31:46
-So we find ourselves -back in the Madagascan capital...	0:31:48	0:31:52
-..where our journey began.	0:31:53	0:31:55
-On St David's Day, 1835, -Christianity was prohibited.	0:31:55	0:31:59
-Locals were persecuted and killed -for their faith.	0:31:59	0:32:03
-To prevent more torment, -the missionaries went on their way.	0:32:03	0:32:08
-But David Griffiths and David Jones -were determined to return.	0:32:10	0:32:14
-David Griffiths -came back as a merchant...	0:32:15	0:32:18
-..and despite grave illness, -David Jones returned here in 1840.	0:32:18	0:32:23
-That not only shows the strength -of his faith...	0:32:23	0:32:26
-..but also his devotion -to his friends and the country.	0:32:27	0:32:30
-But he was forbidden -from speaking to the Christians.	0:32:31	0:32:34
-He could do nothing -when nine Christians were killed.	0:32:35	0:32:38
-En route to the execution, -a crowd lingered at their home...	0:32:38	0:32:43
-..in order to teach -the two Welshmen a lesson.	0:32:43	0:32:46
-The new queen, Ranavalona...	0:32:48	0:32:51
-..was intent on scaring -the Christians.	0:32:51	0:32:54
-Many executions were carried out -in public.	0:32:55	0:32:58
-Some martyrs were killed -with spears, some were poisoned...	0:32:58	0:33:02
-..and others were thrown over -this cliff.	0:33:03	0:33:06
-It's unclear how many Christians -the queen had executed...	0:33:10	0:33:14
-..but history shows that 150,000 -were killed for various reasons.	0:33:14	0:33:18
-In Malagasy, the period -is referred to as "ny tany maizina".	0:33:18	0:33:22
-The time when the land was dark.	0:33:22	0:33:25
-The conflict Ranavalona created -clearly showed...	0:33:26	0:33:30
-..that changing people's religion -changes their culture and tradition.	0:33:30	0:33:35
-Did they have the right to do that -in spite of all the good they did?	0:33:36	0:33:41
-Or rather, -because of all the good they did?	0:33:41	0:33:45
-The Welsh missionaries' final home -was somewhere in this area.	0:33:45	0:33:50
-David Griffiths -returned home to Wales...	0:33:50	0:33:53
-..but David Jones died -a relatively young man in Mauritius.	0:33:53	0:33:58
-So, what's left?	0:33:58	0:33:59
-A country that is much poorer -than it ought to be.	0:34:00	0:34:03
-A country that has been governed -by empires...	0:34:03	0:34:07
-..and been in political turmoil.	0:34:07	0:34:09
-As a result, it's in the lowest 20% -of countries ranked by wealth...	0:34:09	0:34:13
-..with 80% of its population -in poverty.	0:34:13	0:34:16
-Yet, more than half are Christians.	0:34:17	0:34:19
-What we've seen here -are descendants of the faith...	0:34:19	0:34:23
-..that the early Welsh missionaries -practised.	0:34:23	0:34:27
-Their faith and their influence -on education and development...	0:34:27	0:34:32
-..are things the Welsh missionaries -would have been familiar with.	0:34:32	0:34:36
-At a difficult time in the country's -history, it's obviously doing good.	0:34:36	0:34:41
-They knew what they had to achieve.	0:34:44	0:34:47
-The old missionaries -could turn their hands to anything.	0:34:47	0:34:52
-They had to be heroes in every way.	0:34:52	0:34:55
-THEY SING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE	0:34:56	0:34:58
-One person told me that their -culture and modern practices...	0:34:59	0:35:05
-..can be traced back to when -the Welsh missionaries landed.	0:35:05	0:35:09
-The small chapel by the beach -represents all the good I've seen.	0:35:12	0:35:18
-It was Thomas Bevan and David Jones's -faith that first brought them here.	0:35:18	0:35:24
-I arrived at the chapel, -expecting to find one minister...	0:35:24	0:35:29
-..but all the village's Christians -had turned up to welcome me.	0:35:29	0:35:33
-Both the service -and the surroundings were simple.	0:35:34	0:35:37
-They sung familiar hymns but showed -such enthusiasm and conviction.	0:35:37	0:35:42
-Memories of being led to the beach -and hearing the children sing...	0:35:42	0:35:47
-..will stay with me -long after I've left here.	0:35:47	0:35:51
-# Hallelujah	0:35:52	0:35:55
-# Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah	0:35:55	0:36:01
-# Hallelujah, hallelujah	0:36:01	0:36:04
-# Hallelujah, hallelujah	0:36:04	0:36:07
-# Hallelujah	0:36:07	0:36:09
-# Hallelujah	0:36:09	0:36:13
-THEY CONTINUE IN MALAGASY	0:36:13	0:36:15
-S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.	0:36:26	0:36:28
-.	0:36:28	0:36:29

Y Daith: Dyffryn Aeron i Fadagascar

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