King Andriandahifotsy of the Sakalava people had led a great migration from the southern tip of Madagascar to southwestern Madagascar, situating his kingdom roughly between the Mangoky and Manambalo rivers.

Under his son Andramananety, who had succeeded his father in 1685, the kingdom has become known as Menabé, to distinguish it from a second Sakalava kingdom farther to the north—Boina—founded in 1695 by Adramananety's brother.

Menabé and Boina, at the height of their power in the eighteenth century, will together control nearly all of western Madagascar and will be recognized as overlords by other kingdoms on the island, including their principal rival, Merina.