Enviromental Adaptions
Population A: Zulu
1. The Zulu live within the KwaZulu-Natal province, which is a sub-tropical climate residing alongside the east coast of South Africa. The weather year round is consistently warm, with the coldest month averaging 69°F and the hottest month averaging 89°F. December, the wettest month of the year, has around 14 days of precipitation whereas June, the driest month of the year, has around 3 days of rain. During the drier months, the Zulu are subjected to long hours of sunshine. KwaZulu-Natal also has high humidity.
2. A physical adaption of the Zulu that resulted from their environment is an increase in melanin. The tropical region in which they live, means that the UV radiation is much stronger. They are also exposed to direct sunlight for a majority of the year. Due to this increased intensity in UV, and increased time spent exposed to this UV, the Zulu have evolved to be darker skinned. Dark skin protects from the harmful effects of being overexposed to UV radiation. The Zulu are more at risk of experiencing sun damage, and therefore this escalation in melanin production helps them remain in homeostasis and withstand these damages.
3. A cultural adaption of the Zulu that resulted from their environment is wearing less, and lighter, clothes in response to the hot climate. In order to not become overheated, the Zulu have adopted attire that allows for their bodies to have more evaporation. In order to stay cool, we sweat, but in order for this sweat to evaporate, our skin needs to be exposed to the air. Therefore, it is best to wear less clothing in hotter temperatures, as the Zulu have done.
4. The race I would use to describe the Zulu would be African due to their location in Africa and their skin.
Population B: Andean Indians
1. The Andean Indians are largely located within the central region of the Andes Mountains, however their population is vast and can encompass a broader span of these mountains. The climate within the central region is dry, with the northern and southern regions experiencing lots of rainfall. The rainy season persists from January to March, bringing in approximately four inches of rain. According to Climate-Data, the average temperature in the Andes is 44.7°F. Within the central region, characterized by its arid climate, there are contrasting deep plains and high mountains, with volcanic activity dispersed among them. The altitudes reach above 8,200 feat above sea level, which is where much of the population is localized. The climate also shifts from warmer days to freezing nights.
2. A physical adaption of the Andean Indians that resulted from their environment is a shorter stature. This decrease in height may be associated with their decrease in oxygen intake. Due to the higher altitudes, this population has less oxygen, which ultimately affects their blood flow. Pregnant mothers, who are affected by these higher altitudes and subsequent decreased blood flow, have placenta that "may act in additive or synergistic fashion to reduce birth weight at high altitude" (National Library of Medicine). This means that babies born at higher altitudes tend to be born smaller, which makes the overall height of the population decline. The higher altitudes are a disruption to this population's homeostasis, so their bodies react in a fashion that works to maintain, and counteract, the negative effects of lower oxygen intake. An example of this could be seen in the placenta's of mothers, as the body responded to the obstruction of blood levels.
2. A cultural adaption of the Andean Indians that resulted from their environment is their diet consisting mainly of potato, maize, and meats. Due to the stress from high altitudes, it is essential that people focus on foods that are potassium rich. Higher altitudes typically make your body use up potassium faster, so it is important to replenish that potassium storage. Furthermore, in order to make use of their environment, the Andean Indians focused on farming and rely heavily on their agricultural practices.
4. The race I would use to describe the Andean Indians is Indigenous due to their native descent in South America.
Adaption vs. Race
The two ways in which you can describe a population is by their adaption to the environment and by their outward appearance. I would say that description based on adaption is more useful to an anthropologist because it allows for a better view into the lifestyle and culture of the people being described. However, I would say that generally speaking description based on outward appearance is more useful to the observer. The explanatory power differs based on who is receiving the information, but overall I would say that outward appearance gives insight on the view of the culture, and adaptive traits give insight on how the culture acts and the lifestyle they possess.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/19/science/potato-domestication-andes.html
https://www.science.org/content/article/how-people-andes-evolved-live-high-altitudes
https://medium.com/exploring-history/what-did-they-eat-the-zulus-98a38e7e599d
https://demandafrica.com/travel/culture/a-guide-to-zulu-culture-traditions-and-cuisine/
https://www.krugerpark.co.za/africa_zulu.html
https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine-region-kwazulu-natal-za,South-Africa
https://www.sahistory.org.za/place/kwazulu-natal
https://laoisafrica.com/zulu-people/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3146554/
Zulu:
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind that "environment" goes beyond "weather". It includes whether it is forested, savannas or desert. It also includes the amount of solar radiation is received and the altitudes of the local, stresses that are important for explaining adaptations. This applies to your discussion for the environments of both the Zulu and the Andeans.
Very good description of both your physical and cultural adaptation. Just note that the only reason *less* clothing works for the Zulu is because of their pre-existing melanin levels, correct? Other cultures, such as desert populations in the Middle East, have opted for the exact opposite adaptation, i.e., MORE clothing to protect from solar radiation.
"Africa" is a geographical location/continent, not a race. There are many races that live in Africa, so we can't use it to indicate just one. A more accurate choice would be "black" or "negroid".
Andean:
Better here on your description of the environment because you included the information on altitude. Still needed a bit more information beyond temperature and rainfall.
You list a physical adaptation (short stature) but don't explain it. A key environmental stress for the Andean populations is the high altitude stress (hypoxia). Adaptations for that would have been good to highlight here.
Very good cultural adaptation, though I will note that "diet" is right on that boundary between cultural and biological. Non-human organisms will adapt their diets in response to the environment even without a form of "culture". So is diet cultural? Or biological?
Not sure what you mean by "native descent in South America" in your next section? It's tough to choose a race here, isn't it? Asian population and native American populations share a relatively recent common ancestry, as it was Asian populations that crossed over from Asia to North America some 14,000 years ago (approximately... dates are up to debate). So we definitely see some traditionally "Asian" traits in native American indigenous populations. But they are not longer "Asians". They've been here too long and have evolved their own distinctive features. Perhaps the most logical race would be native American Indian.
"However, I would say that generally speaking description based on outward appearance is more useful to the observer."
How? What does this tell us beyond what they look like? It doesn't explain anything. It just categorizes them.
"Overall I would say that outward appearance gives insight on the view of the culture...."
You are confusing observing cultural traits with observing physical traits.
It sounds like you are trying to come down on both sides of the argument. I really want you to pick a side here! Which one better *explains* human variation across different cultures.
Race is not based in biology but is a social construct, based in beliefs and preconceptions, and used only to categorize humans into groups based upon external physical features, much like organizing a box of crayons by color. Race does not *cause* adaptations like environmental stress do, and without that causal relationship, you can't use race to explain adaptations. Race has no explanatory value over human variation.
Forgot to note: Good images.
DeleteI think it's interesting that you chose to use the country or area of each population's origin as their race, but I also don't disagree with the idea. The way we characterize the idea of 'race' in the modern world comes with so many judgements and preconceived notions. For instance, there seems to be something less harmful and less judgemental to refer to someone as 'African' instead of 'Black' or 'Negroid'.
ReplyDeleteHi Kate! I really enjoyed reading your blog. You provided interesting information on both tribes though I would've loved if you gave characteristics of the races though the races you chose aren't necessarily races. Other than that, very insightful information. Good job :)
ReplyDeleteI've reviewed your response to the Andean second prompt. Well done.
ReplyDelete