The Zulu of South Africa
Their homeland:
The Zulu people are the largest indigenous group in the country of South Africa. Since the 16th century, according to their history, they have lived in the subtropical hilly country. The area has hot and tumid (but not harsh) summers with average temperatures ranging from 75-86 degrees Fahrenheit, and pleasant mild winters with daytime temperatures in the high 60's and low 70's, but it drops to about 50 at night. Average annual rainfall is 50in but that can vary widely. Overall, it is a much more lush and temperate (comparatively speaking) environment than other African tribes have adapted to.
However there are a few factors that could prove difficult for homeostasis. Altitude, humidity, and sunlight are the three that have the biggest effect on homeostasis.
Their Adaptations:
Physical- The Zulu people have darker skin due to a greater melanin concentration in their skin cells. Since their home climate is temperate and humid, little clothing is worn. The increased melanin helps prevent exposed skin being damage by the sun.
Cultural- The Zulu homestead is a great example of adapting to an environment. While the weather is not necessarily a danger, the wildlife in the Zulu's territory is. Their houses are made out of plant material and provide adequate shelter from the colder winter nights, but they are also sturdy thanks to the use of manipulated tree saplings and protect against animal predators. Huts in a village or in a family homestead are arranged in a circle, and the position denotes social standing. This is also beneficial however, as it allows for them to keep precious livestock protected in the center of the circle and also offers protection for the people. There is safety in numbers.
Their Race:
The Zulu people fall under the Bantu race. While Bantu is a broadly used description for hundreds of African ethnicities, it does offer some distinction from other African races. Africa, and the people that live there, are extremely diverse and can't all be put into one category solely due to skin color, just as white skin Europeans have racial differences from white skinned Asians. Bantu places them in the group that genetically they have had the most contact with and also refers to the common ancestry of their language and culture with other Bantu groups. It is typified by dark skin and broad round facial features, possibly with some European features as well due to their contact with traders along the coast.
The Andean Indians
Their Homeland:
They are natives of the Andean Mountains that run through Equator, Peru and Bolivia. The average temperature is 60-70 degrees Farenheit although in certain regions it can be below freezing while in others it is sub tropical. For the majority though, the climate stays rather cool and dry, and the majority of the drinking water comes from glacial melt. This poses many dangers to homeostasis. The cold, thin air and lack of available drinking water and edible plants pose the greatest threats.
Their Adaptations:
Physical- Many early European explorers noted the "barrel chested" appearance of the Andean natives. This physical trait allows for increased lung capacity which is greatly beneficial in the low oxygen air of the high mountains.
Cultural- The domestication of the llama is an example of cultural adaptation to the Andes mountains. It can live off of the scrubby bushes that grow there and produce milk and meat for farmers. It's wool is also very useful for making vitally important wool clothing. Carrying heavy loads is easier with a pack llama when traversing the steep hills at such high altitudes.
Their Race:
I would say that the Andean Indians are of the "Native South American" race- although I don't know if that actually is recognized as a race. Since there are no longer any true Inca left, only people of mixed Inca/Spaniard descent, they could be call Hispanic, although that implies more Spaniard than traditional native origin. I would describe them as being short and stocky in stature with dark tan colored skin and black straight hair. They have broad faces and prominent straight noses.
Summary
Describing adaptations is a far more useful tool for identifying a people group than racial descriptions. Pretty much anything you can glean out of a racial description can be attained from their cultural and physical adaptations. Race is just too vague. It can also be subjective. What we might see as one race is actually seen as several different races to others. Understanding adaptations is much more useful to anthropologists because it can help one understand why a certain people group do certain things. The Zulu, for instance, haven't developed anything like the complex fabric weaving that the Andean natives have because they do not need clothing made from warm insulating fabric. They are, however, capable of using vegetation for a much broader span of uses than the Andean natives because of the resources they have available to them.
Race is also too vague, and my descriptions above are a perfect example. My description of the Andean Indians could be used for Pacific Islanders or even some Southeast Asian peoples just as well. If anthropologists want to truly identify people, then they should study why they are they way they are, not just what they look like.
Zulu Culture
http://www.zulu-culture.co.za/index.php
African People; "People of Africa"
http://www.africanpeople.info/
KwaZulu-Natal
http://www.zulu.org.za/index.php?home
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture; "Bio Resource Groups of Kwazulu-Natal"
http://agriculture.kzntl.gov.za/publications/production_guidelines/veld_in_natal/veld_4.1.htm
Blue Planet Biomes; "Andes Mountain Climate"
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/andes_climate.htm
Genetic Approaches to Understanding Human Adaptation to Altitude in the Andes
http://jeb.biologists.org/content/204/18/3151.full.pdf
This assignment made me aware that I don't really know what "race" means. It seems like many many things can be categorized as "races," like when you said "I would say that the Andean Indians are of the "Native South American" race- although I don't know if that actually is recognized as a race." I think this is why studying adaptations and cultural aspects of groups of people is far more specific than racial identification. Good post.
ReplyDeleteJordan, you were very thorough with your information. I enjoyed how you added the social aspect of the huts alignment to adapting to the environment. Physical features were such a strong point to this assignment and I to learned quite a bit. Races can be a mix of many attributes and not an easy task to pick a generic, which seems to be inadequate. Thanks!
ReplyDelete"Race is just too vague. It can also be subjective."
ReplyDeleteThat was a perfect description of the problems with using race. Well done highlighting that key problem. Using adaptations is much more objective and less subject to bias.
Great post. Well-written and accurate throughout. Nicely done.
Hi Jordan,
ReplyDeleteYour choice on the cultural adaptation was interesting because I couldn't believe that I missed something that was right above me, my house. Every individual from all types of culture, neither it be the Zulu folks of American citizens, have culturally adapted to construct some sort of shelter. In the case of the Zulu tribe, you noted that they developed these huts for the reason of protection against predators, however seeing the reason for adapting to construct some sort of shelter is universal, I would question the material and methods used to construct these huts. For example you noted that their huts are composed of plant material, why? Why not mud, seeing that the area around them is pretty much grassland? I question this because I see the material having some factor in the Zulu tribe's decision on how to be protected against the warm conditions they thrive in.
Hey Joseph,
DeleteI read a little bit about how they construct their homesteads so I can tell you that you and Jordan are both right. Jordan, I think, just focused on the skeletal structure of the houses to describe to us how sturdy they are but, like you mentioned, mud is also involved. Mud helps to keep the inside cool better than just plants would and besides mud they also use cow dung and soil for the same purpose. So it's not just one or the other kind of deal, both are used.
Mud actually is not used in Zulu huts very much- really only for the brick foundation. The huts themselves are primarily plant matter. Due to the wet tropical environment, there is an abundance of various plants to use. Plant matter is much better for their environment than mud because their area receives so much rain that it would ruin simple mud bricks. They also design their huts to be slightly portable- not possible if it was solely made of brick.
DeleteI like how you pointed out that the condition of weather wasn't dangerous and that wildlife was. That made it much more specific. And it was also interesting to me how you categorized them as Incan/Spaniard. I haven't seen that from anyone and I find that less typical so well done.
ReplyDelete