The Vazimba are known from the oral tradition of Madagascar. Many Scholars believe their forefathers were among the first people to settle Madagascar 2300 years ago and that their original homeland was modern day Indonesia.
They were small of stature and did not know how to work metals. Throughout the years they were pushed inland by stronger tribes with superior weapons. They settled down in the highlands of Madagascar, near modern day Antanarivo.
Here the Wazimba united under one king as the first people of Madagascar. By now they had learnt to use all the tools and armor other tribes on Madagascar had to their disposition. Despite their small stature the united Vazimbas could muster far larger forces than any other people on the island. The small people had finally become the island most powerful military power.
Unfortunately for the wazimbas their dominance did not last. 500 years ago, a tribe from the coast attacked and defeated them. Not long after the mysterious people vanished. Were they all killed? Or did the new king who had a Wazimba mother encourage the two tribes to intermarry? Or did they go west and settle at the coast like some scholars believe?We don’t know. However, there is a strong oral tradition among many families of the highlands that they are of mixed Vazimba and Merina stock.
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