Pygmy (from Greek: πυγμαίος, pygmaios) is a general term used to refer to various ethnic groups characterized by short stature. In some cases, such as the Aeta of the Philippines, the term may also be considered pejorative.
A pygmy is typically classified as an individual from an ethnic group whose adult men have an average height of less than four feet eleven inches (150 cm). The largest and best-known pygmy populations are found in Central Africa, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. Pygmies are thought to have first emerged around 100,000 years ago in the rainforests of equatorial Africa. Pygmy stature has been attributed to genetic factors and to environmental factors such as nutrition and disease exposure during early development.
There are several theories that have been proposed to explain the evolution of pygmy stature. One theory suggests that natural selection favored individuals with shorter stature because they required less food and thus could survive in environments with limited resources. Another theory posits that short stature was advantageous because it made it easier for individuals to avoid being eaten by predators. Finally, it has been suggested that small body size may have conferred a reproductive advantage due to the increased number of offspring that could be produced by smaller women.
While there is still much debate surrounding the exact origins of pygmies, there is no doubt that they represent a fascinating example of human diversity. Today, there are an estimated 300–400 thousandpygmies living in over 50 different countries around the world. Although their way of life has changed dramatically in recent years due to encroachment by settlers and loggers into their traditional territories, many pygmy groups have managed to maintain their unique culture and traditions