Andrianerinerina
According to one of several competing origin myths[1]of theMerinapeople ofImerinain the central Highlands ofMadagascar,Andrianerinerinais the incarnation of the son of God (Zanahary) from which theline of Merina rulersis said to have descended.[citation needed]
According to the legend, the son of Zanahary descended to Earth at a location named Anerinerina (north of Angavokely) – source of the sovereign's Earthly name – to play with theVazimba(the original inhabitants of Madagascar according to Malagasy mythology). The Vazimba were specifically warned not to cook Andrianerinerina's sheep for him because he couldn't consume their flesh, but one was nonetheless butchered and cooked in a stew which was then served to him. By unwittingly eating the forbiddenmutton,Andrianerinerina was no longer able to return to the heavens to rejoin his father. As a consequence,Zanaharygave the Vazimba a choice: to "untie the threads of their lives", or to accept Andrianerinerina as their lord and master. They chose to serve Andrianerinerina rather than be destroyed by Zanahary. Zanahary then sent down one of his daughters, Andriamanitra, to be a wife to Andrianerinerina, and they became the first two members of the royal line.[2]