vazimbaとは 意味・読み方・使い方

The Vazimba (Malagasy [vaˈʒimbə̥]), according to popular belief, were the first inhabitants of Madagascar. While beliefs about the physical appearance of the Vazimba reflect regional variation, they are generally described as smaller in stature than the average person, leading some scientists to speculate that they may have been a pygmy people (and therefore a separate Malagasy ethnic group) who migrated from the islands that constitute modern-day Indonesia and settled in Madagascar sometime between 100 BCE–400 CE. Conclusive scientific evidence has yet to substantiate this theory. Stories about the Vazimba form a significant element in the cultural history and collective identity of the Malagasy, ranging from the historical to the supernatural, inspiring diverse beliefs and practices across the island.