Local Variety
Type of the Sudanid-Guinesid contact belt with a variety of unique features that set it apart from other groups. Most common in the lower Casamance region of West Africa in South Senegal, Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau, where it is found in Jola, Jola-Felupe, Diamate, and related groups. In low frequencies across West Africa in Ashanti, Bayot, Dyula, Dagomba, Bolon, Tiefo, and others.
Dark brown, sometimes black skin, usually kinky hair. Medium height or rather tall, (hyper-)brachyskelic, mesomorph. Mesocephalic, orthocranic. Platyrrhine nose. The face is large with big eyes and bulging lips. Prognathy is usually significant. Body hair weak.
The type was identified within the "atypical groups" of the Sudano-Guinean region by Pales and St-Péreuse (1953) as the "Western" type. Also described by Chabeuf (1959), who studied relationships to types farther East.
