The Zulu people of the Natal province of South Africa have a long history in the area known as the "cradle of mankind."
They live in a climate that is defined as warm sub-tropical for the majority of the year. Summers are hot and humid, averaging 75-86 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter temperatures average 68 F in the day and 52 F during the nights. It is not uncommon for winter daytime temps to reach the mid 80's F though. Summers are the main wet season, but rain can occur year-round. The majority of the year, hot days with high humidity levels are to be expected.
A physical adaptation that the Zulu have developed over time has been longer appendages, arms and legs, to help with keeping their core temperatures cool in the hot weather. (See Allen's Rule.) The added surface area allows heat to leave the body through radiation, keeping the internal temperature at a lower level.
A cultural adaptation that the Zulu have developed is wearing a minimal amount of clothing, or clothing that is light or thin to assist in keeping the body cool in the hot weather. The women below are demonstrating both.
I would describe their race as "Black." I chose this definition because of their dark skin pigmentation and dark eyes.
Andean Indians (Aymara and Quechua)
The Andean highlands of Peru and Bolivia were the heart of the great Inca Empire. I am focusing on the Aymara and Quechua tribes as they were the main ones in the Cusco (Cuzco) area of Peru, which was the capital of the Incan Empire.
The city of Cusco is located at an elevation of 11,600ft in altitude. (This is compared to the sacred city of Machu Picchu which is approximately 7500ft in altitude.) Year round high temperatures average in the mid 60's (Fahrenheit) while nighttime low's average in the low 40's. The rainy season is in the summer-which is December through April. Temperatures can change quickly depending on wind, clouds and rain.
A physical adaptation that the ancestors of the Andean Indigenous populations have passed on is their short, and stocky stature. This helps them to retain heat, especially at night, when it can be quite cold in the high mountains. This can be seen in the photo below of the women, especially when compared with the llamas they are standing beside.
A cultural adaptation that the people of the Andean highlands have utilized is their choice in clothes. They dress in layers that can easily be removed or added as the weather changes. The use of head coverings is very common by these people.
I would identify this group's race as being "American Indian." (I base this on the definition used by the US Census Bureau that includes all indigenous people of Northern, Central and South America.) Physically identifying traits include their dark hair, dark eyes and medium toned pigmentation.
Adaptation Vs. Race
I believe that an anthropologist would be able to get more information from studying the different adaptations of a population compared to the narrow definitions that constitute the idea of race. The description of race looks at visible, physical traits. In looking at adaptations, an anthropologist will be able to get a broader amount of information, not just about how they physically look, but at how their culture exists in its current environment. If genetic studies take place, a wealth of information can be learned in how their bodies have physically adapted to the environment that may not be visible on the outside. For the Zulu I defined their race as "Black," but this does not address the physical or cultural adaptations that I identified. Identifying the Andean Indians as "American Indian" also leaves out the adaptations that they have made or gone through for their environment. Studying how they have adapted can lead to insight into the culture, and influence what questions the anthropologist might ask in their research.
Sources:
http://www.zulu.org.za/index.php?districthome+29++57984
http://www.gateway-africa.com/tribe/zulu_tribe.html
http://www.everything-zulu.com/index.html
http://www.ladatco.com/CUZ-bsc.HTM
http://www.native-languages.org/home.htm#list
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g294314-s208/Cusco:Peru:Weather.And.When.To.Go.html
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,COI,MRGI,COUNTRYPROF,BOL,,4954ce15c,0.html
http://anthro.palomar.edu/adapt/adapt_2.htm
www.census.gov/schools/pdf/2010form_info.pdf
I liked the information your presented. The examples I had used to show physical and cultural adaptation were different, so I was able to learn something new from your post. I had the same conclusion that you had on that studying culture is much more important to Anthropologists than to classify any group of people by race. After reading your conclusion I wished I better worded my own conclusion. You are very detailed and explain your position very well. Great work
ReplyDeleteI had a difficult time trying to find the physical adaptations for the KwaZulu tribe (other than their obvious their skin color), and I did not know they had longer arms, legs, and appendages to help in maintaining their core temperature. Good job! I like how you provided just the perfect images to show the cultural and physical adaptations from these two tribes.
ReplyDeleteThat was very well done. Well-written and easy to read. Good for you for mentioning Allen's rule! Great images as well and your discussion was on point. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteI definitely learned something from your post! I did not know the physical adaptation that you mentioned about the Andean Indians of being shorter so as to retain heat better. Nice job! I also liked your explanation of adaptation vs. race.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I agree, nothing on the outside can describe what their physical bodies have adapted for in their environment. When studying a culture it is a necessity to focus on their adaptations physically, not aesthetically.
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