Zulu
1.The Zulu people are located on the eastern side of South Africa,
bordered by the Indian Ocean and the Drakensberg Mountains. Most of the
rainfall occurs in the summer which averages 82 degrees making it humid,
while winters are warm, dry and average 73 degrees.
2. The Zulu people live in a tropical climate not far from the equator and have developed high amounts of eumelanin in their skin to ward off the dangers of harsh ultra violet rays.
3. In the late 1800's a illegitimate son of a Chief, named Shaka created a short stabbing spear turning mild conflicts normally settled by shouting insults into a deadly nature. Later the clans of kwaZulu-Natal banded together and ultimately defeated the Voortrekkers and 30 years later the British.
4. I would describe the Zulu people as being Native South African race. Based on "The does Race Exist" By Dr. Brace and Dr. Gill, I agree with Dr. Gill that race does exist. The Nguni peoples migrated from northern to southern Africa forming the Xhosa nation, which would later split into smaller clans and are now the Zulu.
References
References
- 1. KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority (http://www.zulu.org.za)
- 2. Zulu Culture (http://www.zulu-culture.co.za)
- 3. Skin Color Adaptation by Dennis O'Neil
Andean Indians
1. For each population, give a brief description of the environment in which the population lives.
The Andean Indians live in the Andes Mountains, a long stretch of mountains running along the western coast of South America. Temperatures range from 52 degrees to 72 degrees and includes hot "wastelands" and tropical rainforests.
2. For each population, identify and describe one (1) physical adaption they demonstrate.
After 1000's of years living at high altitudes the Andean Indians have developed unique physiologically response to low oxygen pressure. They produce more hemoglobin there for increasing their lung capacity an ability to deliver oxygen to the blood.
3. For each population, identify and describe one (1) cultural adaption they demonstrate.
The Andean Indian live in a rich horticulture society. Farming and developing the mountain side is a way of life. They are able to produce abundant amount of food in what most society's would deem impossible.
References
- 1. Climate of the Andes (http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org)
- 2. Adapting to High Altitudes by Dennis O'Neil
- 3. Central American and northern Andean Indian By Dwight B. Heath (http://www.britannica.com
5. Summary – Adaptation vs. Race:
I think adaptation plays a part in race, if a culture didnt adapt to their environment then the race wouldn't exist. I think both have an important role in explaining a culture. Race is a simple way to describe people and adaptation explains who a particular race is.
I found having to classify these two different groups of people by race highly interesting. It was just our own opinion at work along with the information we looked up. I bring into question your decision to classify the Zulu as Native South Africans and the Andean Indians as Native Andeans. What makes them so different, physically speaking, that they are categorized as their own small, individual races? Don't the Zulu and Andean Indians have more in common with Africans and Native Americans than differences? My idea of race is the definition of a people by common ancestry and physical characteristics. By that definition, I'd argue that your choices are too specific, with race being meant to be inclusive to the people who share those characteristics. Overall, I found your post to be quite informative and well-researched, kudos on the hard work.
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ReplyDeleteI like the reference the "Does Race Exist" article! But I actually have to disagree. :-) What you are actually describing is ethnicity, not race. I'm glad it got you thinking about it, though.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I can't say I agree with your final summary, however. Race is purely a label and is subject to social and cultural preconceptions and biases. It tells you more about the culture applying the labels than about the labeled culture itself. True, race is influenced by physical adaptations, but that doesn't make it useful. Just stick with the physical (and cultural) adaptations.
Good environmental descriptions and interesting details. The trait of warfare doesn't really help the Zulu adapt to it's natural environment, though. It is a social adaptation.
Great images!