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The Bira of the savanna and the Bira of the rain forest. A comparative study of two populations of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

par Sporcq, Jacques
Référence Journal of Human Evolution, 4, 6, page (505-516)
Publication Publié, 1975

Article révisé par les pairs

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Résumé :

In this investigation we have studied multifactor, hereditary, physical characteristics of two Congolese populations, the Bira of the savanna and the Bira of the rain forest, originated from the same population and at present diversified morphologically. The hypothesis of adaptation of these populations to different environments in which they have lived for nearly three centuries would appear to be the most appropriate explanation of the differences observed. Convergence of physical characteristics points to a cross-breeding of the Bira with pygmies in the forest and Tutsi in the savanna, although both investigation of single factor characteristics (blood groups, sicklemia) and social habits appears to contradict the cross-breeding hypothesis. In addition, the founder effect and genetic drift may have been important factors at the time of migration of these populations. The importance of adaptation and natural selection have very likely increased from generation at the expense of the role of genetic drift and of the founder effect. These two factors were shortlived but primordial for the first generations that followed the scission and migration. © 1975.